Shipwreck Report: Bark Tom Wrong (1853–1866)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Tom Wrong
• Other Names:
• Originally built as Dick Tinto
  • Renamed S.E. Ives in 1856
  • Last renamed Tom Wrong in 1863
• Official Number: C33579
• Vessel Type: Bark, wood (also seen as a Schooner in some records)
• Built: 1853, by W. Jones, Cleveland, OH, as a large Tug
• Final Location: Near Port Burwell, Ontario, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: November 11, 1866
• Cause: Storm – Wrecked on piers while attempting to enter harbor
• Final Cargo: Light
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications  Length: 117 feet (35.7 meters)  Beam: 23 feet (7.0 meters)  Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
• Tonnage: 150 tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Original Build: Large Tug and wrecker
• Modifications: Converted to a Bark (three-masted sailing vessel)

Operational History

The vessel we know as Tom Wrong began her life as the Dick Tinto, a large Tug built in 1853 in Cleveland, Ohio, by W. Jones. She served as a wrecker — a tough job involving the salvage of distressed vessels, a common sight on the stormy Great Lakes.

In 1856, she was renamed S.E. Ives and then again renamed to Tom Wrong in 1863, by which time she had been converted from a Tug into a Bark, a versatile sailing vessel that could carry cargo while still being nimble and quick under sail.

In her final years, she operated under Canadian ownership, running trade routes across the Great Lakes, typically carrying Lighter loads due to her original design as a Tug.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 11, 1866)

Route: Bound from Buffalo, NY to Port Stanley, Ontario.

Weather Conditions: A severe storm struck Lake Erie, a common threat during November gales.

Incident Details:  The Tom Wrong attempted to take shelter at Port Burwell, Ontario.  The harbor entrance was hazardous, with piers extending into the lake. The vessel wrecked against these piers and was a Total Loss despite the efforts of the well-regarded wrecker Magnet to save her.

Aftermath:

The owners filed a lawsuit against the Port Burwell harbor authorities, claiming that the lighthouse and harbor closure (due to silting) was improperly managed. The suit failed, as the harbor closure had been well publicized. The wreck was sold off for $800, a far cry from her original value.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Port Burwell, Ontario, Lake Erie.
• Current Condition:
  • The Tom Wrong was likely scavenged soon after her wreck, with valuable materials removed.
  • Remains might include iron fittings and possibly some buried timbers, given the wreck was not officially removed from registry until 1881.

Potential for Discovery: The site might be explored by historians or divers interested in the dynamic shipping history of Lake Erie’s north shore.

Legacy and Significance

Transformation and Versatility  The Tom Wrong is a fascinating example of a vessel evolving with the times — from Tug to sailing Bark, adapting to new roles as economic needs changed.

Legal Tangles and Harbor Safety Her story reminds us of the constant battle between shipping interests and harbor management, particularly when weather and nature’s unpredictability collide with human enterprise.

Lake Erie’s Shipwreck Legacy Her wreck adds to the storied shipwreck legacy of Lake Erie, a lake known for its stormy nature and the countless vessels it has claimed.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Archives ship logs, legal disputes, and wreck reports.
• Canadian Register of Shipping Details on vessel modifications, ownership changes, and registry details.
• Port Burwell Marine Museum Preserves local maritime history, including shipwrecks off Ontario’s north shore.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Collection includes artifacts and stories from Lake Erie shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The Tom Wrong’s story reflects the adaptive nature of Great Lakes shipping in the mid-1800s, her shifts in function illustrating the economic pressures of the era. Her tragic end at Port Burwell, caught in a deadly storm, serves as a somber reminder of the perilous conditions faced by mariners on the inland seas.

What a storied past she had — a Tug, a Bark, a courtroom drama, and a shipwreck! Anything you’d like to dive deeper into, like her legal case or the wrecking business she started in? Let me know—let’s explore!