The three masted schooner R.P. Mason was built for the lumber trade on Lake Michigan. The vessel was built at Ferrysburg, Michigan in 1868 by Harrison C. Pierson (possibly Pearson) and was named after Rufus Putnam Mason. She was launched on August 28,1867. She was later classed as a barge.

April 1869: Involved in a collision at Manistee in Lake Michigan.

October 1971: During a gale, capsized and sank killing 5 in the Mackinac Straits. Raised and towed to St. Helena, Michigan the following year.

May 1874: Collided with the Bertie Calkins in Lake Michigan.

September 1874: Collided with the schooner Mott off Sheboygan.

May 1883: Heavily damaged when blown ashore near Chicago.

October 1883: Collide with the schooner M.E. Tremble will in tow of the the tug Parmelee near Chicago.

July 1891: Remeasured; 115 x 24.5 x x 7.57, 155.23 gross and 148.46 net.

May 2, 1905:Driven ashore and broke her back near Marinette. Later released.

1906: Made into a barge.
On June 20, 1917 the R.P. Mason was loading a cargo of equipment to cut lumber. That night a fire broke out in the Seavey Mill and spread to the residence, pier and to the R. P. Mason. The schooner drifted away from the pier and eventually burned to the waterline and sank in Green Bay.

Greenwood states she was swamped and sank in a storm on lake Michigan; same date.