SHIPWRECK REPORT: BOB POWELL’S WRECK / UNKNOWN Schooner

Type: Wooden Schooner

Depth: 160 feet (48.8 meters)

Dimensions:

• Length: 130 feet (39.6 meters)

Location: Long Point, Lake Erie

• GPS Coordinates: 42° 33.418′ N, 79° 59.524′ W

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Unknown (commonly referred to as Bob Powell’s Wreck or the Mast Hoop Wreck)

• Discovery:

• Location identified based on a tip from commercial fisherman Bob Powell.

• Named for the mast hoops visible at the site and its discoverer.

• Condition:

• The Stern rises five feet above the lakebed.

• Starboard side buried in sand.

• A 30-foot section of the mast lies to the port side.

SITE DESCRIPTION

This wreck lies at a depth of 160 feet in Lake Erie near Long Point. Despite its buried starboard side, the vessel offers significant points of interest for divers:

• Features:

• Stern structure visible above the lakebed.

• Remaining mast section on the port side, measuring approximately 30 feet in length.

• Evidence of mast hoops, suggesting the vessel’s Schooner configuration.

DIVING INFORMATION

• Skill Level: Advanced to technical divers only, due to the depth of 160 feet.

• Visibility: Variable, typical of deeper Lake Erie sites. Visibility may be influenced by weather and sediment conditions.

• Points of Interest:

• The Stern and mast section are key features for exploration.

• The vessel’s partially buried starboard side may contain hidden artifacts or structural details.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• The identity of this wreck remains unknown, though its design and remnants suggest it was a wooden Schooner, likely a cargo carrier or small transport vessel common on the Great Lakes in the 19th century.

• The mast hoops and mast remnants provide clues to its rigging and operational era, but further research is needed to uncover its origin and history.

NOTES FOR DIVERS

• Safety Precautions:

• Depth requires technical certifications and appropriate gas mixes.

• Cold water temperatures necessitate proper thermal protection.

• Environmental Awareness:

• Avoid disturbing the sand covering the starboard side to preserve the wreck’s integrity.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Local diver and shipwreck research groups

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Further investigation into shipwreck databases for potential identification

This report provides an overview of the Bob Powell’s Wreck, highlighting its mystery and potential for historical discovery, while offering practical details for divers exploring the site.