IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Agnes Barton

•Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

•Build Date: 1835

•Builder: Buffalo, New York

Dimensions:

•Length: Initially 73 feet; Rebuilt to 92 feet

•Beam: 23 feet

•Depth: 8 feet

•Tonnage: Initially 110 tons; increased to 155 tons after rebuilding

•Final Location: Off the coast between Conneaut, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie

•Date of Incident: August 8, 1855

•Depth: Approximately 30 feet (10 meters)

•Coordinates: ~1.5 miles offshore and 1.5 miles from Conneaut Light, N42.08475, W-80.653648

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Agnes Barton was a two-masted Schooner typical of the mid-19th century. Wooden schooners like the Agnes Barton were essential for transporting goods across the Great Lakes, capitalizing on their speed and maneuverability in often challenging waters. The vessel was a sturdy workhorse, its Rebuild in 1842 extending its operational life and increasing its capacity, reflecting the high demand for durable cargo vessels during this era.

HISTORY

Built in 1835 in Buffalo, New York, the Agnes Barton started as a 73-foot, 110-ton Schooner. It underwent significant modifications in 1842, increasing its length to 92 feet and tonnage to 155 tons. These changes allowed it to handle larger cargoes and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving shipping market.

The Schooner served a range of owners and transported various cargoes, including coal, a common commodity in the industrializing Great Lakes region. By the mid-1850s, the Agnes Barton was nearing the end of its serviceable life. Despite this, it remained active, carrying out critical trade routes between major ports such as Cleveland and Buffalo.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On August 8, 1855, the Agnes Barton, laden with coal, encountered a severe storm while traveling from Cleveland to Buffalo. The aging Schooner could not withstand the extreme conditions and began taking on water. Despite the crew’s efforts to save it, the vessel Foundered and sank in about 30 feet of water near Conneaut Light. Remarkably, no lives were lost, but the Schooner was declared a Total Loss.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Located By: Discovery details are undocumented.

•Date of Discovery: Unknown.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Navigational Notes: The wreck site, lying at a modest depth and distance from major shipping routes, poses no current navigational hazard.

•Diver Considerations: The site may offer opportunities for exploration, though the exact condition of the wreck remains unverified.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History Resource

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Maritime Collection

•Great Lakes Ships Database

CONCLUSION

The Agnes Barton exemplifies the vital role schooners played in 19th-century maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. As an aging vessel, its ultimate loss highlights the inherent risks of navigating these waters, particularly in severe weather conditions. The wreck, though modest in size and historical fame, contributes to the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping and serves as a silent witness to the challenges faced by early mariners.

KEYWORDS

Agnes Barton Schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, maritime commerce, Conneaut Ohio, Erie Pennsylvania, shipwreck preservation.