Shipwreck Report: Wonder (1889–1908)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wonder
• Official Number: 81794
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Sandsucker
• Built: 1889, New London, Wisconsin
• Final Location: In the harbor at Ashtabula, Ohio (Lake Erie)
• Date Lost: July 13, 1908 (alternative date: September 6, 1908)
• Cause: Stranded in a storm and wrecked
• Final Cargo: None
• Loss of Life: None of 4 crew members
• Owner at Loss: Ashtabula Sand & Gravel Company
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Length: 95 feet (29 meters) Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters) Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 99 gross tons
• Net Tonnage 78 net tons

Operational History

The Wonder was built in 1889 in New London, Wisconsin, as a propeller-driven sandsucker—a specialized dredging vessel designed to extract sand from lake and river bottoms for construction purposes. The vessel was used for dredging operations and transporting sand, playing an important role in industrial projects along Lake Erie’s ports. Owned by Ashtabula Sand & Gravel, the vessel operated primarily out of Ashtabula, Ohio, serving the growing demand for construction materials in the early 20th century.

Ashtabula was a major industrial port, handling coal, ore, and sand shipments to support the Great Lakes economy.

Final Voyage & Loss (July 13, 1908) On July 13, 1908 (or possibly September 6, 1908), the Wonder was caught in a severe northerly storm while in the harbor at Ashtabula, Ohio.  Heavy winds and waves caused the vessel to strand near the harbor entrance. Attempts to free the vessel failed, and the Wonder was declared a total wreck. Later, it was towed near the outer breakwall during an unsuccessful salvage attempt.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near the outer breakwall, Ashtabula, Ohio (Lake Erie)
• Depth: Shallow water, likely near the harbor entrance
• Current Condition:
  • Since the vessel was towed during a salvage attempt, it is unclear how much of the wreck remains intact.
  • Given its wooden construction and exposure to Lake Erie’s waves, the wreckage may have deteriorated significantly over time.
• No modern surveys have documented the site, but local divers or historians may have information about remnants near the Ashtabula breakwall.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest: The wreck has not been definitively located or studied in modern times.
• Given its proximity to Ashtabula Harbor, it could be a candidate for future underwater exploration.
•  Side-scan sonar surveys near the breakwall could help identify the remains, if any still exist.

Legacy and Significance

A Working Vessel of the Industrial Era The Wonder was part of the Great Lakes dredging industry, which played a key role in supporting harbor construction and infrastructure projects. Sandsuckers were crucial for maintaining navigable waterways and providing construction materials for growing cities.

A Reminder of the Risks of Small Industrial Vessels The vessel’s loss in a harbor storm highlights the dangers that even small, working vessels faced on the Great Lakes. Many similar dredges and tugs were lost due to storms, machinery failures, or fires.

A Lost but Recoverable Shipwreck Site Since the Wonder was towed to the breakwall, it is possible that some remnants still exist. Future surveys in the Ashtabula Harbor area could potentially locate parts of the vessel, offering insight into early 20th-century dredging operations.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical records of shipwrecks and industrial vessels.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research https://www.ohioshipwrecks.org Focuses on wrecks in Ohio waters, including Lake Erie.
• Ashtabula Marine Museum & Historical Society  May have additional information on the Wonder and other local shipwrecks.
• NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory  https://www.glerl.noaa.gov Provides information on Lake Erie conditions and underwater mapping.

Conclusion

The Wonder was a small but significant sandsucker that served Lake Erie’s industrial ports for nearly 20 years.

It was lost in a storm in Ashtabula Harbor on July 13, 1908 (or September 6, 1908) and was eventually wrecked near the outer breakwall after an unsuccessful salvage attempt.Though no modern surveys have confirmed the wreck’s location, it remains a potential target for historical and underwater exploration.