Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: Unknown Schooner

Type: Wooden Schooner

Location: Long Point, Lake Erie

Coordinates: Latitude: 42°33.48579’N / Longitude: 51.649’W

Depth: Approximately 190 feet (60 meters)

Length: 120 feet (36.6 meters)

Vessel Type Description

This wreck is a wooden Schooner, representative of the robust and versatile cargo ships that sailed the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Designed for the transportation of goods such as lumber, coal, or grain, the Schooner exhibits features typical of its era, including a blunt bow and carved figurehead. Its construction and size suggest it was likely used for regional trade, emphasizing durability and cargo capacity.

Features of the Wreck

1. Cabin:

• Remarkably, the Schooner’s cabin has survived intact, including side windows and a chimney pipe, providing unique insights into the vessel’s construction and the living quarters of the time.

2. Masts:

• The main mast, with its topmast still attached, has fallen to the port side and lies against the port rail.

• This positioning of the mast highlights the dramatic nature of the vessel’s sinking.

3. Rudder:

• The rudder, positioned hard to port, suggests that the vessel was possibly attempting a maneuver during its final moments.

4. Other Features:

• The wreck includes anchors, a Bilge pump, and various other structural details.

• A fish net lies across the rudder, and multiple nets are snagged on the wreck, posing hazards to divers.

5. Blunt Bow with Figurehead:

• The vessel’s blunt bow is adorned with a carved figurehead, an uncommon and decorative feature that adds to the wreck’s intrigue.

Historical Context

While the Schooner’s identity remains unknown, its size and features are consistent with the design of cargo schooners that sailed the Great Lakes during the mid-to-late 19th century. Such vessels were essential to the economic development of the region, enabling the transportation of bulk goods across the vast inland waterway system.

The intact cabin and unique figurehead suggest the Schooner may have been a well-maintained and possibly notable vessel during its operational life. The manner of its sinking—abruptly with the cabin still intact—hints at a catastrophic event, such as a collision, grounding, or sudden storm.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Depth: The wreck lies at 190 feet (60 meters), making it accessible only to advanced technical divers due to the depth and potential entanglement hazards posed by nets.

• Preservation: Cold, freshwater conditions in Lake Erie have contributed to the wreck’s remarkable preservation, including the intact cabin and other structural details.

• Hazards: Numerous fish nets are snagged on the wreck, requiring divers to exercise extreme caution to avoid entanglement.

Diving Highlights

• Cabin: The intact cabin, with its chimney pipe and side windows, offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into 19th-century ship design.

• Figurehead: The carved figurehead at the blunt bow is a unique feature, uncommon among Great Lakes wrecks, and adds to the site’s appeal for historical study and exploration.

• Artifacts: The anchors, Bilge pump, and various structural elements make this wreck a treasure trove for divers interested in maritime history.

Recommendations for Exploration

• Diving: Only technical divers with advanced certification and experience in deep wreck diving should attempt to explore the site.

• Hazard Awareness: Divers should be aware of the snagged nets and other potential entanglement risks on and around the wreck.

Resources & Links

• NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research: Provides environmental data for diving in Lake Erie.

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks: A resource for preserving and exploring wrecks in the Great Lakes.

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Offers additional historical context and information on similar wrecks.

Conclusion

This unknown Schooner near Long Point, Lake Erie, is a remarkable dive site, with its intact cabin, figurehead, and other structural features offering a unique window into Great Lakes maritime history. The vessel’s excellent preservation, combined with its intriguing details, makes it a significant find for historians and divers alike. However, the site’s depth and entanglement risks require careful planning and expertise for safe exploration.

Keywords

Schooner, Long Point, Lake Erie wreck, wooden vessel, carved figurehead, underwater archaeology, Great Lakes shipwreck, technical dive site, intact cabin.