Identification & Site Information:

•Vessel Name: Wild Rover

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Dimensions:

•Length: 117 feet (35.7 meters)

•Depth at Wreck Site: 18 feet (6 meters)

•Tonnage: 213.79 tons

•Built: Fairport, Ohio, by Wilson & Fountain

•Year Enrolled: 1855, Sandusky, Ohio

•Final Location: Two miles above Long Point, Lake Erie

•Loran Coordinates: 44502.5 58476.7

Vessel Type Description:

The Wild Rover was a wooden Schooner designed for the transportation of bulk goods, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Known for their reliability and versatility, schooners like the Wild Rover played a vital role in supporting the regional economy by carrying essential commodities such as block stone and agricultural products.

History:

•Construction and Early Ownership:

•Built in Fairport, Ohio, the Wild Rover was launched in 1855 and enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio.

•By 1859, ownership transferred to Bliss O. Wilcox and associates from Fairport, and by 1863, Wilcox & Fountain became its owners.

•Major Incidents:

•1860: Ran ashore at South Bay Point, Lake Ontario; successfully refloated.

•1862: A tragic overboard incident near Point Abino, Lake Erie, resulted in a fatality.

•1866: Sank in the St. Lawrence River off Brockville, carrying corn for Ogdensburg, NY. The vessel was raised and repaired.

•Rebuild and Ownership Transfer:

•Rebuilt in 1865, increasing its Gross Tonnage to 213.79 tons.

•By 1871, ownership passed to Jno. McKay of Cleveland, Ohio.

•Final Voyage and Loss:

•On November 9, 1874, the Wild Rover, carrying block stone to Toronto, ran ashore near Francis Palms, Long Point, Lake Erie.

•With little hope of salvaging the cargo, the vessel was Abandoned, marking its Total Loss.

•By June 1876, ship materials from the Wild Rover were recovered and transported back to Cleveland aboard the Schooner Phanhttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg.

Final Disposition:

The Wild Rover was declared a Total Loss following its grounding near Long Point in 1874. Efforts to salvage materials in 1876 signaled the end of its active presence in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

•The wreck of the Wild Rover lies in 18 feet (6 meters) of water, making it accessible to snorkelers and divers.

•Given its shallow depth, it is an ideal site for recreational exploration, though the condition of the wreck, due to time and environmental factors, may vary.

Notable Highlights:

•Salvage Efforts:

•Recovery of materials by the Schooner Phanhttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg in 1876 highlights the practical salvage operations of the era.

•Historical Value:

•The vessel’s incidents, Rebuild, and eventual loss encapsulate the challenges of maritime commerce in the 19th century, emphasizing the resilience of Schooner operators and crews.

Resources & Links:

•Great Lakes Maritime History: Detailed records of incidents involving the Wild Rover.

•NOAA Wrecks and Obstructions Database: For wreck-specific location data.

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Database: Potential 3D models or historical photos.

Analysis:

The story of the Wild Rover exemplifies the operational hazards faced by schooners on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its frequent incidents, including groundings, sinkings, and rebuilds, reflect the unpredictable weather, navigational challenges, and high demands placed on these vessels. The eventual loss of the Wild Rover, along with other long-serving vessels like the Detroit, marked the end of an era for these stalwart workhorses of Great Lakes commerce.

Keywords:

Wild Rover Schooner, Long Point shipwreck, Lake Erie maritime history, Great Lakes schooners, block stone transport, 19th-century shipwrecks.

Conclusion:

The Wild Rover stands as a testament to the endurance and vulnerability of schooners in the Great Lakes. Its life, marked by service, misfortune, and eventual loss, contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history. The vessel’s wreck site near Long Point, Lake Erie, offers divers and historians a tangible connection to the challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation.