Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Names:

• Lizzie A. Law

• David Vance

• Vessel Types: Schooners

• Length: 205 feet (62.5 meters)

• Depth: ~41-42 feet (12-13 meters)

• Location: Lake Erie, near Point Pelee

• Coordinates:

• Lizzie A. Law and David Vance Wrecks: 41° 51.726’N, 82° 31.438’W

Vessel Type Description

The Lizzie A. Law and David Vance were wooden schooners, typical of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century. Both vessels were designed to transport bulk cargoes such as coal, grain, and other materials critical to the industries of the Great Lakes region. With their significant length and cargo capacities, they were key players in the shipping networks of their time.

Historical Context and Incident

The Collision:

• Date: Unknown (19th century)

• Details: The Lizzie A. Law, loaded with corn and towed by the Steamer Egyptian, collided with the Schooner David Vance, which was transporting coal from Erie.

• Location: Approximately 2 miles west of Point Pelee, Lake Erie.

• Outcome:

• David Vance sank in 42 feet of water.

• Lizzie A. Law sank nearby in presumed similar depths.

• Both vessels were declared total losses.

Post-Collision Efforts:

• Lizzie A. Law:

Wreckers moved the sunken vessel into shallow water, raising its decks above the surface. The Schooner was towed to Amherstburg for cargo salvage.

• David Vance:

Another vessel later collided with the wreck, removing its mizzen mast.

David Vance History

• Built: 1874, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

• Owners: Captain McKenzie and others, Milwaukee

• Tonnage: 736 tons (net)

• Rating: A2 (Inland Lloyds)

• Value: $24,000

• Insured Hull: $7,400 (Commercial Union) and $14,000 (Smith, Davis & Co.)

• Insured Cargo: Coal cargo insured in Erie.

Notable Incidents:

• The David Vance faced multiple challenges during its service, including groundings, collisions, and repairs.

• Final Loss: Sunk in this collision with the Lizzie A. Law.

Current Condition and Diving Notes

Wreck Sites:

• Lizzie A. Law:

The vessel’s remains are likely in shallow water near Amherstburg, potentially salvaged during historical operations.

• David Vance:

The Hull and structural remnants lie in 42 feet (13 meters) of water, making it accessible to divers. However, damage from historical salvage efforts and collisions with the wreck may have affected its condition.

Diving Conditions:

• Depth: Moderate at ~42 feet (13 meters), suitable for intermediate divers.

• Hazards: Potential for entanglement with nets or debris; currents in Lake Erie near Point Pelee can vary.

• Features: The David Vance wreck likely retains structural elements such as the Hull, though the mizzen mast is missing due to earlier salvage operations.

Legacy and Historical Importance

The collision of the Lizzie A. Law and David Vance serves as a reminder of the risks faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes. The incident highlights challenges such as congested waterways, difficult weather conditions, and the limitations of navigation technology during the 19th century.

These vessels were vital to the commerce of the Great Lakes region, transporting essential goods like coal and grain that supported the burgeoning industrial economies of the United States and Canada. Their loss marks a significant event in the maritime history of Lake Erie, particularly in the waters near Point Pelee.

Keywords

Lizzie A. Law, David Vance, Great Lakes Schooners, Point Pelee Shipwrecks, Lake Erie Maritime History, Grain Transport, Coal Cargo, 19th Century Shipping, Great Lakes Collisions.

Resources and Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

For divers and researchers, exploring the wrecks provides a direct connection to the history and challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation.