Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Anthony Wayne (commonly referred to as General Wayne)

• Type: Sidewheel Steamer

• Dimensions:

• Length: 135 feet (41 meters)

• Width: 20 feet (6 meters)

• Draft: 60 feet (18 meters, fully loaded)

• Location: Vermilion, OH, Lake Erie

• Coordinates: 41°31.668′ N, 82°23.092′ W

• Final Resting Place: Approximately eight miles off the mouth of the Vermilion River in Lake Erie

Vessel Type Description:

The Anthony Wayne was a Sidewheel Steamer, a type of vessel powered by steam engines driving paddle wheels mounted on its sides. These vessels were prominent on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for passenger and cargo transport. The Anthony Wayne had an ornate design, reflecting its primary use as a passenger vessel on the Buffalo-Sandusky line.

History:

Construction and Early Service:

The Anthony Wayne was launched on May 20, 1837, serving routes between Perrysburgh, Toledo, and Buffalo on Lake Erie. Over its operational life, the vessel underwent several modifications and ownership changes:

• May 1843: Caught fire at a wharf in Sandusky, Ohio, requiring extensive repairs.

• May 23, 1848: Lost its upper Deck in hurricane-force winds while docked in Detroit.

• April 1849: Rebuilt in Trenton, Michigan, under Charles Howard of Detroit, signaling its transition into the Buffalo-Sandusky Packet line.

Final Incident and Sinking:

On April 28, 1850, the Anthony Wayne embarked on a routine voyage on Lake Erie. Opposite the Vermilion River, the vessel suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion that tore through its structure. Within 20 minutes, the Hull separated from the hurricane Deck, sinking rapidly. Survivors clung to the Deck and wreckage until rescued at dawn by the Schooner Elmira under Captain Nugent.

Casualties and Rescue:

Of the 84 individuals aboard, approximately half perished, including passengers and crew. Survivors sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. Notable stories, like that of Archer Brackney, underscore the human tragedy of the event. Brackney managed to save his daughter using a floating box that tragically contained the remains of his deceased wife and child.

Final Disposition:

The Anthony Wayne sank in 20 minutes, becoming one of the earliest steam-powered vessels lost on Lake Erie. Despite partial salvage attempts, much of the wreck remains submerged at the reported coordinates.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site.

Located By & Date:

The wreck of the Anthony Wayne was discovered in 2006 by the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE). The site, located about eight miles off Vermilion, is now a protected shipwreck under Ohio law.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

The wreck lies in approximately 20 meters (66 feet) of water and is accessible to experienced divers. The site is in a fragile state, with portions of the wooden structure deteriorated. It remains a significant underwater archaeological site, shedding light on early Great Lakes steam navigation.

Resources & Links:

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival data and incident records.

2. Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE): Details on the discovery and exploration of the wreck.

3. David Swayze Shipwreck File: Documentation of 19th-century Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Conclusion:

The Anthony Wayne represents a pivotal chapter in the maritime history of Lake Erie. As one of the earliest steam-powered vessels, it highlights the technological advancements and perils of early Great Lakes navigation. The tragic explosion and the loss of life resonate as a reminder of the inherent risks faced by passengers and crew. The wreck, protected under Ohio law, serves as both a historical artifact and a memorial to those lost on April 28, 1850.

Keywords:

#AnthonyWayne #GeneralWayne #LakeErieShipwreck #SidewheelSteamer #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturyShipwreck #VermilionOH

Glossary:

• Sidewheel Steamer: A steam-powered vessel with paddle wheels mounted on its sides for propulsion.

• Hurricane Deck: The uppermost Deck of a Steamer, often used for passenger accommodations or observation.

• CLUE (Cleveland Underwater Explorers): An organization dedicated to locating and documenting submerged shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.