Schooner F.D. BARKER, of 290 Ton. Built 1867. Home port, Cleveland. Owned by Wilford and Classed as A 2. On September 22, 1887 vessel, with no cargo, went ashore on lake Michigan, and became a total loss. Property loss $8,000
      1887 Casualty List (Total Loss)
      Marine Record, Dec. 15, 1887 p.4


Minorville.---The wrecking party that went from here to the assistance of the wrecked schooner FRANK D. BARKER have returned without accomplishing anything. Some hard pulling was done on her, but she was so heavy that the tug could not get her off, as she would have to be pulled 250 feet before she could be got afloat, and it was thought that the schooner could not stand the heavy strain which bore on her while the tug SPALDING was pulling. She lies on a reef of flat rock east of Spider Island, and is rapidly going to pieces. She is leaking badly. The water in her hold is as deep as it is outside of her. It is generally thought she is broken in two amidships, and that she will be a total loss within a short time. She will probably be abandoned to the underwriters.
      The Marine Record
      Thurs. Oct. 6, 1887 p.5


Chicago.---Captain Mike Galvin, wrecking master for the hull pool, arrived from Spider Island, where he had been looking after the wrecked schooner FRANK D. BARKER. He says the vessel is a total loss.
      The Marine Record
      Thurs. Oct. 13, 1887 p.1


Cleveland.---Messrs W.B. Scott & Son, agents of the Aetna & Greenwich insurance companies, in which the schooner FRANK D. BARKER was insured, Monday paid the full amount of the policies on that vessel. $6,000, she being a total loss. It will be remembered that the BARKER was stranded in one of the gales in the early part of October on Spider Island.
      The Marine Record
      Thurs. Nov. 10, 1887 p.1