Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge ATHENS

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: ATHENS
• Type: Schooner-Barge
• Built: 1897
• Builder: James Davidson
• Location of Build: West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 293.5 feet (89.5 meters) Beam: 44.5 feet (13.6 meters)Depth: 19 feet (5.8 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 2073 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1953 tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Final Location: Lake Huron, 25 miles west of Southampton, Ontario
• Coordinates: Not specified
• Depth of Wreck: Moderate, exact details unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ATHENS was a large, wooden Schooner Barge designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Constructed for durability and efficiency, it was intended to be towed by steamers, enabling the movement of massive quantities of raw materials. The ATHENS exemplified James Davidson’s craftsmanship, whose designs were known for their robustness during the declining era of wooden shipbuilding.

HISTORY

The ATHENS was launched in 1897 and became a critical asset in Great Lakes commerce. Over its two decades of operation, it transported bulk materials such as coal, iron ore, and grain, connecting industrial hubs around the lakes. Its owners, Boland and Cornelius of Cleveland, Ohio, employed it in major towing operations, highlighting its significance in the shipping industry.

Key Incidents:

• Collision at Fairport, Ohio (May 15, 1899) The ATHENS collided with the East Pier, causing structural damage. This incident revealed the challenges of navigating massive Schooner-barges in port environments.
• Foundering Incident (November 22, 1906) The ATHENS was reported Foundered in Lake Erie, only to be rediscovered two days later near Huron, Ohio, with steering damage but otherwise intact. This incident further attested to the vessel’s resilience.
• Final Wreck (October 7, 1917): The ATHENS was being towed by the Canadian Tug LUCKNOW during a severe blizzard on Lake Huron. Overwhelmed by the storm, the vessel broke in two and sank approximately 25 miles west of Southampton, Ontario. Tragically, five crew members perished, leaving only two survivors. The wreck was declared a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Loss: October 7, 1917
• Cause of Loss: Gale and blizzard while under tow
• Crew: Survivors: 2 Casualties: 5
• Condition: The wreck of the ATHENS lies in moderate depth. The vessel is believed to have broken apart, with scattered remains resting on the lakebed.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) apply to the wreck site of the ATHENS.
• Divers and explorers are advised to exercise caution in this area due to potential currents and unpredictable conditions in Lake Huron.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck site of the ATHENS has been known since its loss in 1917. While the specific condition of the wreck is unknown, the wooden construction suggests significant deterioration over time. The depth and fragmented state of the wreck may offer limited exploration opportunities for divers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Bowling Green State University Archives

CONCLUSION

The ATHENS represents a bygone era of Great Lakes maritime history, embodying the transition between wooden Schooner-barges and the dominance of steel-hulled ships. Its tragic sinking in 1917 underscores the perils faced by sailors in the unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes. The ATHENS remains a poignant reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of early 20th-century maritime commerce.

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