The wooden two masted schooner George R. Roberts was built in 1847 at Madison Dock, Ohio by H. Varton. In 1860 the vessel was valued at $1,200 and rated B2 and In 1874 she was valued at $2,000 and rated C1. The George R. Roberts was repaired in 1868.
September 25, 1876: This 28-year-old little schooner, George R. Roberts, while enroute from Milwaukee to Sister Bay was approaching its destination when a heavy northwest gale suddenly whipped up. Her owner and Captain, Grey, ordered the anchor dropped to hold her against the wind, but it became entangled in the cathead chains. Before the mess could be rectified, the Roberts had hit bottom at the head of Big Sister Bay.
By the next morning the crew had already started to strip the vessel of her canvas and other moveable items as the little schooner was breaking up. She shortly became a total loss.

The last document of enrollment, Enrollment no, 116, issued at the Port of Milwaukee on 5/10/1876 was surrendered on October 20, 1876; Cause of surrender "Total Loss."