Schooner X

Identification & Site Information

• • Vessel Name: St. James
• • Vessel Type: Schooner
• • Year Built: 1856
• • Builder: Merry & Gay, Milan, Ohio
• • Original Owner: C.M. Reed, Erie, Pennsylvania
• • Dimensions:
• • Length: 118 feet (36 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 226.76 tons (increased from initial 302 tons in 1860)
• • Depth of Wreck: 165 feet (53 meters)
• • Location: Long Point, Lake Erie
• • Coordinates: N42° 27.104’, W80° 07.331’
• • Official Number: 22417

Vessel Type Description

The St. James was a wooden-hulled Schooner, purpose-built for the robust transportation of bulk cargoes such as grain across the Great Lakes. Its design included functional features like wooden and cast iron Bilge pumps, indicative of adaptations over its years of service. The vessel also featured a decorative scrolled figurehead, a hallmark of 19th-century craftsmanship.

History

Construction and Early Service (1856):

• Launched in 1856 in Milan, Ohio, the St. James began its career transporting goods, owned by C.M. Reed of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Incidents and Ownership Changes:

• 1860: Damaged in a collision, the vessel underwent repairs and modifications that increased its tonnage.

• May 2, 1870: Ownership transferred to Andrew Abernathy of Buffalo, New York.

Final Voyage and Loss (October 1870):

• The St. James was lost approximately 20 miles north of Erie, Pennsylvania, while carrying a cargo of 14,000 bushels of wheat.

• The exact cause of the sinking remains unknown, but historical accounts suggest a sudden and catastrophic failure.

• Wreckage attributed to the St. James was found near Beaver Island, including cabin remnants, cheese boxes, and other debris, hinting at a violent end.

Wreck Discovery and Identification

Initially referred to as “Schooner X”, the wreck of the St. James was found in 165 feet of water near Long Point, Lake Erie. The vessel exhibited extraordinary preservation:

• Sails remained rigged, suggesting it sank while under sail.

• Anchors and masts were still in place, with masts rising 80 feet from the lake bottom.

• The cabins and wheel were largely intact, alongside its cargo hold.

Unique Identifiers:

• A scrolled figurehead, still visible on the bow.

• Both a wooden Bilge pump and a cast iron Bilge pump, reflecting the vessel’s upgrades over time.

• The tonnage numbers, carved into the main beam, conclusively identified the wreck as the St. James.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Preservation: The St. James is regarded as one of the most well-preserved 19th-century schooners in the Great Lakes. Its intact state, including the rigging, figurehead, and internal structures, offers a rare and detailed glimpse into maritime history.

• Diving Access: Located at a depth of 165 feet (53 meters), the wreck is accessible only to technical divers with advanced training and equipment. The depth and conditions require careful planning and adherence to safety protocols.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The St. James is a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes shipping and the craftsmanship of 19th-century shipbuilders. Its discovery and preservation provide valuable insights into the design, operation, and ultimate fate of schooners during a transformative period in maritime commerce.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships: Comprehensive records of historical vessels.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Details on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

• Erie Wrecks: Diving information and historical context.

• Sea-View Imaging: Underwater imaging and exploration resources.

Conclusion

The St. James stands as a monument to the perilous but vital work of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century. Its remarkably preserved wreck offers a window into a bygone era, attracting divers and historians alike. This shipwreck, resting off Long Point in Lake Erie, remains a jewel of Great Lakes maritime history.