Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: IVANHOE

•Type: Schooner

•Date of Incident: Final sinking on October 5, 1855; collision on January 11, 1856

•Location: Near Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: 41° 33.310’ N, 82° 02.826’ W

•Depth: 54 feet (16 meters)

•Condition: Upright on a mud bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg, amidship section intact; bow and Stern collapsed

Vessel Type Description

The IVANHOE was a wooden Schooner constructed in 1848 in Irving, New York. Designed for cargo transport, it measured 110 feet (33 meters) in length, 25 feet 9 inches (8 meters) in beam, and 9 feet 3 inches (3 meters) in depth, with a Gross Tonnage of 237 tons. It played a vital role in transporting bulk goods such as coal and lumber across the Great Lakes. Known for its sturdy build, the IVANHOE was a key asset in the mid-19th century shipping industry.

History

Notable Incidents:

•September 28, 1849: Ran aground in Conneaut, Ohio; successfully refloated.

•October 4-5, 1855: Struck by an unidentified vessel while carrying 300 tons of coal from Cleveland to Mackinaw. The collision led to the vessel’s sinking near Black River, Lake Erie. The crew and passengers were rescued by the propeller OHIO.

•January 11, 1856: In a second incident, collided with the Schooner ARAB near Black River. The IVANHOE was declared a Total Loss.

Final Voyage:

The Schooner departed Cleveland with a cargo of coal but was struck by another vessel shortly after departure. Despite efforts to manage the damage, the IVANHOE sank due to the collision. Passengers and crew—including two women and a boy—escaped in the Schooner’s Yawl and were rescued by the OHIO. Reports from contemporary newspapers like the Cleveland Telegraph and Buffalo Daily Republicdetail the chaos of the collision and subsequent rescue.

Final Disposition

The IVANHOE’s wreck lies upright on a mud bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg near Lorain, Ohio, at a depth of 54 feet. The amidships section remains relatively intact, while the bow and Stern have collapsed, likely from the impact and the effects of over 150 years underwater. The wreck is a testament to the dangers of 19th-century maritime commerce and the challenging conditions faced by Great Lakes mariners.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition:

•Intact amidships, with visible structural features like frames and planking.

•Collapsed bow and Stern sections scattered across the site.

•Accessibility:

•The wreck lies in shallow water, making it accessible to experienced recreational divers.

•Visibility may vary depending on Lake Erie’s conditions.

•Diving Notes:

•The wreck offers historical significance and moderate challenges due to scattered debris.

•Care should be taken to preserve the site during exploration.

Resources & Links

•Primary Sources: Historical archives, maritime logs, and contemporary newspapers like the Cleveland Telegraph.

•Further Reading:

•Erie Wrecks: Documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Great Lakes Ships: Comprehensive database of vessels.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical vessel records.

Conclusion

The IVANHOE exemplifies the bustling, yet perilous, shipping activity on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Its story—marked by multiple collisions and ultimate loss—reflects the challenges of navigation in an era of limited technology and high maritime traffic. Now a well-documented wreck site, it offers both a historical narrative and an intriguing destination for underwater exploration near Lorain, Ohio.

Tags

#IVANHOE #Schooner #LakeErie #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LorainOhio #HistoricalShipwreck #UnderwaterExploration