Thomas Winsmore (schooner)

Thomas Winsmore was an 1890 schooner that sailed in the coastwise trade, bringing coal from Philadelphia to northern ports, and returning with cargoes of lumber. According to one source, the ship operated free of mishaps for almost 22 years.[1] However, the ship was known for its "troublesome" crew;[3] and in one instance, it appears a fight resulted in the death of a crew member.[4]

History
United States
Name: Thomas Winsmore
Namesake: Thomas Winsmore, of the ship chandlery Cain & Winsmore[1]
Builder: Built on the Broadkill River, Milton, Delaware, by C.C. Davidson
Launched: December 15, 1890
Homeport: Philadelphia
Fate: Abandoned in a storm off the coast of Florida, December 1915
General characteristics
Class and type: Three-masted schooner
Tonnage:
Tons burthen: 414 tons
Length: 144 ft 4 in (43.99 m)
Beam: 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m)[2][1]
Depth: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)[2]

The ship’s namesake was Thomas Winsmore, of the ship chandlery Cain & Winsmore.[1]

Rescue by Revenue Cutter Seminole in 1914

A report from the United States Revenue Cutter Service describes one of the accidents that marked the end of 22 years of safe operation, when Thomas Winsmore went aground near Lookout Shoal, off the North Carolina coast:[5]

"The three-masted schooner Thomas Winsmore, on January 4, 1914, was in a predicament where the services of a revenue cutter were needed about as badly as ever happens. In a stiff westerly gale, with both anchors down and dragging on a lee shore, rolling heavily in a cross sea, deck load shifted, and 5 feet of water in the hold, it seemed that this schooner's end was close at hand. In addition to all these troubles, the captain feared that his crew would mutiny. Fortunately the revenue cutter Seminole observed the plight of the schooner and went immediately to her assistance. An attempt to shoot a line on board the distressed vessel proved futile, owing to the high wind. The sea was too rough to lower the surfboat, but by a liberal use of oil the cutter was enabled to get a 4-inch line on board, by means of which a 10-inch hawser was secured to the schooner. In a short time the unfortunate vessel was towed to a safe anchorage, and arrangements were made to send an armed boat's crew to assist the master of the schooner in the event his crew should again become troublesome."[3]

Abandonment

Thomas Winsmore was abandoned in a storm off the coast of Florida in December 1915.

References
  1. "File:Independence Seaport Museum 152.JPG - Wikimedia Commons". Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  2. Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. 1911–1912.
  3. Report - United States. Revenue-Cutter Service - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  4. Public ledger almanacs. For ... 1870-73 - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  5. Chronicles of the Cape Fear river ... - James Sprunt - Google Books. Retrieved 2011-09-25.

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