Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Clayton BELLE

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Specifications:

• Length: 139 feet (42.4 meters)

• Tonnage: 300 tons

• Ownership: Merrick, Esseltyne & Co., Detroit, Michigan

• Cargo: 522 tons of Pig Iron

• Final Voyage: April 10, 1882, collision with the Schooner Thomas Parsons

• Location of Wreck: Lake Huron, near Lexington, Michigan

• Discovery of Wreck: 1993

Vessel Type Description

The Clayton BELLE was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes, built to carry heavy cargoes like lumber, iron, and agricultural products. At 139 feet in length, the Clayton Belle was designed for stability and capacity, able to carry substantial loads across the often-volatile waters of the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Clayton Belle were crucial to regional commerce, connecting ports across Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

History

On April 10, 1882, the Clayton BELLE was en route from St. Ignace, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying a heavy load of Pig Iron. Owned by Merrick, Esseltyne & Co. of Detroit, the Schooner was waiting for a Tug’s assistance when disaster struck. In an unfortunate collision with another Schooner, the Thomas Parsons, the Clayton Belle was catastrophically damaged, sinking within three minutes of impact. Four of the eight crew members lost their lives, including Captain A. F. Colvin.

As the Schooner sank, part of the crew managed to board the Thomas Parsons and attempted to launch its lifeboat to aid the remaining sailors. However, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the survivors later recounted the harsh conditions that claimed the lives of those who tried to cling to the sinking vessel. The icy water and exposure proved fatal to those unable to escape in time, despite the heroic attempts to save them.

Discovery and Condition of the Wreck

In 1993, divers discovered the wreck of the Clayton Belle on the floor of Lake Huron. To their surprise, the wreckage revealed an unusual detail: the Hull was split from stem to Stern, with the port side separated from the main wreck. While initially assumed to have been caused by the collision, diver Paul Schmitt proposed that the vessel might have been intentionally torn apart during salvage attempts to retrieve the Pig Iron cargo. Schmitt theorized that a steam Tug could have pulled the Hull apart to allow access to the cargo after the vessel had been declared a Total Loss.

The Quinn Brothers led salvage operations on the site, using steam hoisting gear on a nearby Schooner to extract the 522 tons of Pig Iron from the Clayton Belle. The vessel was found in poor condition, with the Hull and cargo Deck fragmented and scattered across the lakebed.

Final Disposition

The Clayton BELLE was declared a Total Loss after sinking rapidly due to the collision with the Thomas Parsons. The wreck remained underwater, with salvage operations only partially retrieving the cargo. The remains of the vessel, though deteriorated, provide valuable insights into the tragic events of its final voyage.

Located By & Date

• Location: Lake Huron, near Lexington, Michigan

• Discovery Date: 1993

Notmar & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specific to the wreck of the Clayton Belle. The site, though discovered, poses no hazard to current navigation.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

• Shipwreck Research Associates: Resources and information on Great Lakes wrecks

• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes: Detailed records on shipwrecks and maritime incidents on the Great Lakes

Additional Notes

The collision and loss of the Clayton BELLE underscore the dangers faced by 19th-century sailors on the Great Lakes, where sudden disasters were a constant threat. Survivor Thomas Irwin recounted the harrowing moments aboard the Thomas Parsons as he watched the tragedy unfold, along with the crew’s failed attempts to save their fellow sailors. This incident also highlights the challenges of salvage operations, where sometimes vessels were intentionally dismantled to recover valuable cargo.

Conclusion

The tragic story of the Clayton BELLE serves as a solemn reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation. The ship’s collision with the Thomas Parsons, the rapid sinking, and the later salvage efforts all paint a vivid picture of the risks and realities faced by those who worked on these waters. Though the ship and much of its cargo were lost, the Clayton Belle’s legacy endures in maritime history, a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of Great Lakes sailors.

Keywords: Clayton Belle, Thomas Parsons, Lake Huron shipwreck, Great Lakes collision, 1882 maritime disaster, Merrick Esseltyne & Co.