Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: QUITO
• Former Name: DAVID BALLENTINE (renamed in 1890)
• Official Registration Number: 6768
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Bulk Freight
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: T. Boston, Bangor, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 204 ft (62.2 m) Beam: 36 ft (11 m) Depth: 22 ft (6.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 1372 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1099 tons
• Date of Loss: November 23, 1901
• Place of Loss: Lorain, Ohio
• Coordinates: 41°28.42′ N, 82°10.12′ W
• Depth: 20 ft (6 m)
• Lake: Erie

Vessel Type

The QUITO was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven bulk freighter designed to carry heavy cargo across the Great Lakes. Originally built in 1873 as the DAVID BALLENTINE, the vessel featured two decks and three masts, reflecting the robust construction necessary to navigate the challenging conditions of the lakes while hauling iron ore and other bulk goods.

Description

Constructed by T. Boston in Bangor, Michigan, the QUITO measured 204 feet in length with a 36-foot beam and a 22-foot depth. Initially launched as the DAVID BALLENTINE, the vessel underwent a major Rebuild in 1890 after stranding and breaking in two near Chicago in 1889. This reconstruction, carried out at the Wolf & Davidson Yard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, extended her service life and improved her structural integrity, allowing her to continue as a vital player in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

By the time of her final voyage, the QUITO was owned by James Corrigan of Cleveland, Ohio, a prominent figure in Great Lakes maritime commerce.

Historical Summary

Launch & Early Service (1873–1889): Initially launched as the DAVID BALLENTINE, the vessel contributed to the burgeoning bulk freight trade on the Great Lakes, transporting iron ore, coal, and other heavy cargoes between key ports like Escanaba, Cleveland, and Chicago. In 1889, the vessel stranded near Chicago and broke in two, an incident that necessitated a complete Rebuild the following year.

Rebuild & Renaming (1890): After the 1889 stranding, the vessel was Rebuilt in 1890 at the Wolf & Davidson Yard in Milwaukee. Following this significant overhaul, she was renamed QUITO, marking a new chapter in her operational life. The Rebuild extended her length and beam, enhancing her capacity to transport bulk materials more efficiently.

Final Years & Ownership by James Corrigan (1890–1901): Under the ownership of James Corrigan, a notable Cleveland shipping magnate, the QUITO continued to operate as a bulk freighter, primarily transporting iron ore from Escanaba to ports like Cleveland and Erie, Pennsylvania. Corrigan’s fleet was known for its reliability and efficiency, and the QUITO was a key component of his operations.

Final Voyage and Loss (1901)

• Cause of Loss: Storm and Navigational Error
• Date of Loss: November 23, 1901
• Location: Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie

On November 23, 1901, the QUITO was inbound to Lorain, Ohio, with her consort, the IRONTON, carrying a heavy load of iron ore. During a storm, the vessel missed the harbor entrance at Lorain and stranded 1,400 feet out and 100 feet east of the piers. Despite the crew’s efforts to regain control, the vessel became hopelessly stuck on the lakebed.

The Cleveland Lifesaving Service was dispatched to rescue the 15 crew members aboard the QUITO. In a daring operation, all crew were successfully rescued, and there were no casualties during the incident. The vessel, however, was declared a constructive Total Loss due to the extent of the damage.

Post-Loss Recovery and Salvage Efforts

While the QUITO was initially Abandoned, her engine and boiler were later recovered in July 1904. The divers who undertook the salvage operation were given ownership of the remaining hulk and subsequently removed valuable gearfrom the wreck. This practice was common in the Great Lakes shipping industry, as machinery and other components often retained significant value even after a vessel was lost.

Wreck Discovery and Current Status

The wreckage of the QUITO was discovered scattered across the lakebed near Lorain, Ohio, in shallow waters at a depth of 20 feet (6 meters). The wreck is co-located with the remains of the SAINT LAWRENCE (U22348), another vessel that met its end in the same area.

• Wreck Condition: The QUITO lies broken and dispersed across the lakebed. Portions of the Hull and machineryremain visible, offering divers and maritime historians a glimpse into the vessel’s past.
• Diving Information: The shallow depth makes the site accessible to divers of varying experience levels.
• Visibility can vary based on Lake Erie’s seasonal conditions and weather patterns.Divers should exercise caution due to scattered debris and potential entanglement hazards.

Loss of Life

None: Thanks to the swift response of the Cleveland Lifesaving Service, all 15 crew members aboard the QUITOwere safely rescued, and no lives were lost.

Final Disposition

The QUITO was declared a constructive Total Loss after stranding near Lorain, Ohio, in 1901. While her machinery and gear were salvaged in 1904, the vessel’s remains were left scattered on the Lake Erie lakebed.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no current NOTMARs issued specifically for the QUITO wreck site.

Mariners and divers should remain cautious due to the shallow depth and scattered wreckage near Lorain Harbor.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Bowling Green State University Historical Collections
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwreck Listings

Conclusion

The QUITO, originally launched as the DAVID BALLENTINE in 1873, served for nearly three decades as a reliable bulk freighter on the Great Lakes. Despite a major Rebuild in 1890 and a strong service history, the vessel ultimately succumbed to navigational challenges and storm conditions near Lorain, Ohio, in 1901. The dramatic rescue of her crew by the Cleveland Lifesaving Service stands as a testament to the courage and skill of Great Lakes mariners.

Today, the QUITO’s wreck site serves as a historical artifact, offering insight into the perils of early 20th-century maritime transport and the resilience of those who navigated the Great Lakes.

Suggested Keywords: QUITO shipwreck, Lake Erie shipwrecks, Great Lakes bulk freighters, James Corrigan shipping, Wooden propeller vessel, Lorain Ohio maritime history, Great Lakes salvage operations.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Bulk Freighters, Maritime Disasters in Ohio, Early 20th Century Great Lakes Shipping.

Glossary Terms: Propeller Vessel, Constructive Total Loss, Great Lakes Iron Ore Transport, Lorain Harbor Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Salvage History.