Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name(s): Bob Powell Wreck / Mast Hoop Wreck

•Vessel Type: Schooner

•Location: Long Point, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: 42°33.418’N, 79°59.524’W

•Depth: 160 feet of freshwater (ffw)

•Length: 130 feet (39.6 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The Bob Powell Wreck is believed to be the remains of a wooden Schooner, a vessel type commonly used in the 19th century for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. The Schooner’s design allowed for efficient sailing in both open and confined waters, making it a preferred vessel for the movement of bulk goods like grain, coal, and timber.

Discovery and Naming

This unidentified wreck is often referred to as the Bob Powell Wreck after the commercial fisherman Bob Powell, who provided the tip that led to the wreck’s location. The alternate name, Mast Hoop Wreck, comes from the mast hoops discovered at the site. These artifacts, along with other features, provide clues about the vessel’s history and purpose.

Current Condition & Site Description

The wreck lies in 160 ffw and displays notable features that are of interest to divers and researchers:

1.Stern: Rises approximately 5 feet above the lakebed.

2.Starboard Side: Buried in sand, indicating possible sediment shift or prolonged exposure to underwater currents.

3.Mast Remnants: A 30-foot-long piece of mast lies to the port side, likely dislodged during the wreck or subsequent deterioration.

These features suggest the vessel may have suffered a catastrophic failure, potentially capsizing or breaking apart under harsh conditions.

Historical Context

While the vessel’s identity remains unknown, its dimensions and features suggest it was likely a working Schooner involved in cargo transport on Lake Erie. Schooners like this one were vital to the 19th-century economy, connecting ports and enabling trade across the Great Lakes.

The burial of part of the vessel in sand suggests that sediment movement in the Long Point area has played a significant role in preserving the wreck. The scattered remnants, including the mast, point to significant damage likely caused by a storm or collision.

Dive Suitability

•Skill Level: Advanced

•The depth of 160 ffw requires technical diving certification and careful planning.

•Visibility: Typically moderate, depending on weather and sediment disturbance.

•Points of Interest:

•The Stern structure rising from the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg.

•The partially buried starboard side.

•The 30-foot mast fragment on the port side.

Conservation and Accessibility

•Preservation Status: The wreck appears stable, though sediment coverage on the starboard side suggests ongoing burial over time.

•NOTMARs: No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the site.

Divers are encouraged to adhere to conservation best practices by avoiding disturbance of the wreck or removal of artifacts to ensure its preservation for future study.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

Analysis

The Bob Powell Wreck offers a fascinating glimpse into the maritime history of Lake Erie, highlighting the challenges faced by schooners navigating these often treacherous waters. The combination of sediment burial and scattered remnants suggests that further exploration and research could yield insights into the vessel’s identity and final voyage.

Its discovery, credited to the intuition and knowledge of a commercial fisherman, underscores the ongoing importance of community involvement in uncovering and preserving underwater heritage.

Keywords

•Bob Powell Wreck

•Mast Hoop Wreck

•Schooner Wreck

•Long Point Shipwreck

•Lake Erie Maritime History

•Great Lakes Shipwrecks

•Underwater Sediment Preservation

•19th-Century Cargo Vessel