Identification & Site Information:
• Name, Former Names: George M. Case
• Registration Number(s): Not listed in available sources.
• Date Built and Launched: 1874.
• Builder: John B. Martel in Saugatuck, Michigan.
• Measurements:
• Length: 137 feet (41.8 m)
• Beam: 26 feet (7.9 m)
• Depth: 12 feet (3.7 m)
• Tonnage: 344.49 gross tons.
• Capacity: 24,500 bushels.
• Date Lost: October 14, 1886.
Vessel Type
The George M. Case was a three-masted wooden Schooner, typical of the robust cargo carriers navigating the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
Description
The Schooner was a prominent bulk cargo vessel constructed for transporting grains, including corn and wheat, across the Great Lakes. It was meticulously built in Saugatuck, Michigan, a region known for its shipbuilding expertise in the 19th century. Initially owned by P.F. Conger and George M. Case of Fulton, New York, the Schooner later transferred ownership to Captain William McDonald of Chicago, Illinois.
Captain William Daily served as the master during the vessel’s final voyage. The ship was celebrated for its ability to haul vast cargoes of grain, with a capacity of 24,500 bushels, ensuring its usefulness for commerce between major ports.
History
The George M. Case began its fateful journey bound for Buffalo, New York, carrying a full load of corn from Chicago. On October 14, 1886, while navigating Lake Erie, a powerful gale struck the vessel near Port Colborne, Ontario. The violent winds and towering waves overwhelmed the Schooner, causing it to founder approximately three miles off the coast of Port Colborne.
The tragedy resulted in the deaths of three of the seven crew members. The surviving four crew members clung desperately to the ship’s spars and rigging, braving the storm until they were rescued by the tugs Rooth and W.A. Moore, which managed to arrive in time to save them.
In 1887, the wreckage of the George M. Case was located approximately eight miles southwest of Port Colborne, resting at a depth of 40 feet of fresh water (40ffw). To prevent the wreck from posing a navigational hazard to other vessels, the remains were stripped of valuable components and flattened with explosives, a common practice at the time.
Final Disposition
The wreck remains southwest of Port Colborne, in 40 feet (12.2 m) of water. Though damaged and flattened, it is an enduring reminder of the inherent risks of shipping on the Great Lakes.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was located in 1887, one year after the vessel’s loss.
NOTMARs & Advisories
• The wreck lies approximately 8 miles southwest of Port Colborne.
• Depth: 40 feet (12.2 m) ffw.
• The site may still hold interest for divers and historians, though its structure is significantly altered due to explosives.
Resources & Links
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Contains archival details of the George M. Case.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes.
• Bowling Green State University Archives
• Comprehensive vessel archives.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
• Keywords: George M. Case, Lake Erie shipwreck, 1886 storm, Port Colborne wreck, grain Schooner, Great Lakes shipwrecks, maritime history.
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, 19th-Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes History.
Glossary Terms
• Foundering: The sinking of a ship due to overwhelming water intake, often caused by storm damage.
• Spars: Structural components of a ship’s rigging, including masts and booms.
• Flattened Wreck: The process of using explosives to destroy a wreck to eliminate hazards to navigation.
If you need further details, such as diving reports or navigation maps, let me know!
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