Shipwreck Report: Schooner Charger (Caspin Wreck)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Charger (also known as Caspin Wreck)

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1868

•Builder: D. Rogers & Bates, Sodus Point, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 136 feet (41.5 meters)

•Beam: 25 feet (7.6 meters)

•Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 277.87 tons

•Net: 264.98 tons

•Final Location: Point Pelee, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: Latitude 41°51.699’N, Longitude 82°31.800’W

•Depth: 35 feet (10.7 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Charger was a two-masted wooden Schooner, typical of the mid-19th-century design used extensively on the Great Lakes. It was built for transporting bulk cargo, such as grain, across the interconnected waterways of the region. Equipped with sails and later undergoing significant renovations, the Charger was an enduring vessel serving its owners for over two decades before its demise.

HISTORY

•Construction and Early Service:

The Charger was launched in 1868, built by D. Rogers & Bates in Sodus Point, New York. It was designed to handle the rigors of Great Lakes transportation and began its service carrying various bulk goods, primarily grain. Over the years, it saw multiple ownership changes and underwent repairs and renovations to maintain its seaworthiness.

•Rebuild and Modifications:

In 1883, the vessel underwent substantial rebuilding, which included replacing key structural elements such as decks, timbers, beams, and Stanchions. By 1887, it was equipped with new sails, enhancing its operational efficiency.

•Final Voyage:

On July 31, 1890, the Charger was transporting 17,400 bushels of wheat from Detroit to Buffalo when it collided with the City of Cleveland, a steam Barge bound for Toledo. The collision occurred near the “Dummy Light” at the mouth of the Detroit River in Lake Erie. The impact tore a hole in the Charger’s port bow, causing it to sink within 10 minutes.

Despite the suddenness of the sinking, all crew members, including Captain Bates, survived, thanks to quick rescue efforts by the Tug Telegram and later assistance from the City of Cleveland. However, the crew lost all personal belongings in the incident.

•Cargo and Salvage:

The Charger’s wheat cargo was insured and later recovered by J.J. Coon of Toledo, Ohio, who pumped it out of the wreck on August 23, 1890. The cargo was valued at $9,000 and $7,300 under two different insurance policies. The vessel itself, valued at $7,500, was uninsured and deemed a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Charger was declared a Total Loss after its collision with the City of Cleveland. The wreck lies near Point Pelee in Lake Erie, partially preserved in 35 feet of water. The site, known as the Caspin Wreck, serves as a testament to the challenges of navigating the busy shipping routes of the Great Lakes in the 19th century.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•The Caspin Wreck, as it is now known, rests in shallow waters, making it accessible to recreational divers.

•Notable features include remnants of the wooden Hull and other structural elements characteristic of mid-19th-century Schooner construction.

•Divers should be cautious due to entanglement risks from remaining wreckage and fishing nets in the area.

SIGNIFICANCE

The wreck of the Charger highlights the risks associated with maritime commerce on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Its story reflects the perils faced by schooners navigating crowded waterways alongside steam-driven vessels, particularly in rough weather or during high-traffic periods. The Charger’s loss underscores the transition from sail to steam-powered vessels, as collisions between these two types of ships were not uncommon during this period of technological overlap.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the wreck of the Charger. However, divers and mariners are advised to exercise caution near Point Pelee due to the potential hazards associated with the shallow wreck site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships: Comprehensive information on vessels of the Great Lakes.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed records of shipwrecks in the region.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical accounts and archives.

•Local Dive Groups: Resources for exploring wreck sites in Lake Erie.

CONCLUSION

The Charger, later known as the Caspin Wreck, remains an enduring piece of Great Lakes maritime history. From its construction in 1868 to its tragic end in 1890, the vessel played a vital role in regional commerce. Today, its wreck site serves as both a dive attraction and a poignant reminder of the challenges and hazards faced by schooners and their crews on the Great Lakes.

KEYWORDS

•Charger

•Caspin Wreck

•Schooner

•Lake Erie Shipwreck

•Point Pelee

•19th-Century Maritime History

•Great Lakes Collisions