Identification & Site Information

• Original Name: Clifton

• Alternate Names: None known

• Type: Originally a passenger propeller, later transformed into a Tug (1860), and finally Rebuilt as a Barge (1866)

• Built: 1846, Dexter, New York

• Specifications:

• Length: 101 feet (30.8 meters)

• Breadth: 18 feet (5.5 meters)

• Depth: 7 feet (2.1 meters)

• Final Voyage: October 1874, Lake Erie

• Official Number: 33565

Vessel Type Description

The Clifton was a versatile vessel with a rich history of transformation. Built as a passenger propeller in 1846, she underwent a major Conversion in 1860, becoming a Tugboat, before being Rebuilt once more in 1866 as a Barge. This series of reconstructions reflects the adaptability and utility of vessels during this era, as maritime needs evolved with time. As a Barge, the Clifton was primarily used for cargo, specifically lumber, transported along Lake Erie’s trade routes.

History

The Clifton was crafted in 1846 in the Shipyards of Dexter, New York, starting her career as a passenger propeller. In 1860, she was transformed into a Tugboat to meet the growing demands for towing services on the Great Lakes. Six years later, in 1866, she was Rebuilt as a Barge at Marysville, Michigan, extending her service life and marking her final form as a cargo-carrying vessel.

Her story reached its tragic end in October 1874. The Clifton, laden with lumber, was caught in a fierce storm on Lake Erie while being towed by the Steamer Henry Howard. Midway between Point Pelee and Cleveland, the relentless storm waterlogged her Hull, and the Henry Howard was forced to abandon her. The Pacific, another passing vessel, later encountered the Clifton adrift, its crew presumed lost. However, the Clifton continued to float temporarily, becoming a spectral presence on Lake Erie before disappearing beneath the waves. Salvage attempts failed to locate her, and she vanished, her secrets submerged in the lake’s depths.

In 1878, the Clifton’s official documentation was surrendered in Port Huron, annotated with the grim note, “Wrecked in September, 1874,” marking her final disappearance and the end of her journey.

Final Disposition

The Clifton was declared wrecked in October 1874 after succumbing to a violent storm. Her Hull, waterlogged and Abandoned, drifted across Lake Erie before vanishing completely, leaving no remains. Her document of registry was formally surrendered in January 1878 at Port Huron, sealing her place in maritime history as a mysterious loss.

Located By & Date

• Location: Final resting place unknown, last sighted between Point Pelee and Cleveland, Lake Erie.

• Date: Wreck event in October 1874; document surrendered on January 10, 1878.

Notmar & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the Clifton, as her location remains unknown.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation: Resources on Lake Erie shipwrecks and lost vessels

• Port Huron Museum: Records and archives of Great Lakes maritime incidents

Conclusion

The Clifton’s story is one of transformation, endurance, and mystery. From a passenger vessel to a Tug and eventually a Barge, her adaptations speak to the resourcefulness of Great Lakes maritime practices. Her tragic end in Lake Erie’s stormy waters and her disappearance left a haunting legacy, illustrating the hazards faced by mariners on the lakes. The Clifton remains a symbol of resilience and mystery, a testament to the perils of 19th-century lake navigation.

Keywords: Clifton Barge, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, Dexter shipbuilding, Henry Howard, 1874 Lake Erie storm