Identification & Site Information
- • Name: Annabell Wilson
- • Registry Number: US 106475
- • Date Built and Launched: 1887
- • Measurements:
- • Length: 174 feet (53.0 metres)
- • Width: 32 feet (9.8 metres)
- • Depth: 12 feet (3.7 metres)
- • Date Lost: July 12, 1913
Vessel Type
Description
The Annabell Wilson was a three-masted wooden Schooner Barge constructed in 1887 by William Dulac in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Designed for the Great Lakes, Schooner barges like the Annabell Wilson were often towed by steamers, transporting bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grain. This vessel played a significant role in the regional trade network during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
History
Throughout its operational life, the Annabell Wilson was involved in several notable incidents:
• July 12, 1913: While being towed from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Port Colborne, Ontario, with a cargo of 1,000 tons of coal, the Annabell Wilson encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The crew attempted to seek refuge in Dunkirk Harbor, New York. However, before reaching safety, the Schooner Foundered approximately half a mile northwest of the harbor. Tragically, the captain and his wife perished in the sinking.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Annabell Wilson lies in 50 feet (15.2 metres) of water near Dunkirk Harbor. The site is broken and scattered, with the main section of the wreck containing dual centerboards, which are apparent from site imagery.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck site is known and has been documented by various sources, including Shipwreck World and 3DShipwrecks.org.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck site is accessible to divers, lying in relatively shallow water. However, divers should exercise caution due to potential underwater hazards and are advised to adhere to preservation guidelines to protect the historical integrity of the site.
Resources & Links
• Great Lakes Maritime Collection: Annabell Wilson (1887):
• Shipwreck World: Annabell Wilson Schooner:
• 3D Shipwrecks: Annabell Wilson:
Conclusion
The Annabell Wilson serves as a significant example of Schooner barges that were essential to the commerce and navigation of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its wreck offers valuable insights into the construction and operation of such vessels, contributing to our understanding of maritime history in the region.
Keywords: Annabell Wilson, Schooner Barge, Lake Erie shipwrecks, 19th-century Great Lakes vessels, maritime history, underwater archaeology
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners
Glossary Terms:
• Schooner Barge: A type of Barge rigged with Schooner sails, often towed by steamers, used primarily for transporting bulk cargoes on the Great Lakes.
• Foundered: A term used to describe a ship filling with water and sinking.
• Centerboard: A retractable Keel which pivots out of a slot in the Hull of a sailboat, used to provide stability and reduce leeway.
Lake Erie, near Dunkirk, NY
The remains of the Schooner Barge Annabell Wilson, which sank in 1913, lie in 50 feet of water approximately half a mile northwest of Dunkirk Harbour.
3D Shipwrecks Model
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