Identification & Site Information
- Name: Henry Wheaton
- Other Names: Also recorded as H. Wheaton
- Official Registration Number: None
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1845, Oswego, New York
- Measurements: 200 gross tons
- Date Lost: October 28, 1855
- Place of Loss: Off Long Point Cut, Lake Erie
- Lake: Lake Erie
Vessel Type
The Henry Wheaton was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a common vessel type for transporting bulk cargo such as grain, lumber, and coal across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
Description
Launched in 1845 from Oswego, New York, the Henry Wheaton was a mid-sized Schooner, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, particularly between ports like Toledo and Oswego. Schooners of this period were vital for moving agricultural products, and the Henry Wheaton was no exception, frequently transporting grain commodities such as corn.
History
The Henry Wheaton served for a decade on the Great Lakes, operating out of Oswego, New York, and making regular trips across Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes. On October 28, 1855, while en route from Toledo to Oswego with a cargo of corn, the Schooner encountered a fierce gale on Lake Erie.
As the storm intensified, the Henry Wheaton attempted to seek refuge by entering Long Point Cut, a narrow channel near Long Point, a notorious area on Lake Erie known for its shifting sands and treacherous reefs. Unfortunately, the Schooner was driven ashore by the force of the gale. After briefly working herself free from the shallows, she was pushed onto a reef a second time. The pounding waves and wind made it impossible for the vessel to regain control, and she began to founder.
The crew climbed into the rigging to escape the rising water as the vessel began to sink. They remained trapped in the rigging for 17 hours before finally being rescued from the shore. Despite their harrowing ordeal, one crew member lost their life during the incident, though specific details about the casualty are not recorded.
Previous Incidents
The Henry Wheaton had a history of maritime mishaps. In April 1854, the Schooner had gone ashore at the head of Lake Erie and was expected to break up, though she was evidently salvaged and returned to service prior to her final loss in 1855. This pattern of repeated incidents reflects the hazardous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly in regions like Lake Erie, where sudden storms and shallow waters posed constant threats.
Value of Vessel and Cargo
At the time of her loss, the vessel and her cargo of corn were valued at $22,000, a significant sum in the mid-19th century, underscoring the economic importance of such schooners in the grain trade between ports like Toledo and Oswego.
Final Disposition
The Henry Wheaton was declared a Total Loss after being driven onto a reef and sinking off Long Point Cut in 1855. There is no record of successful salvage operations for either the vessel or her cargo.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Henry Wheaton have been issued, though Long Point remains a well-known maritime hazard on Lake Erie.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Henry Wheaton is a classic example of the schooners that dominated Great Lakes commerce in the mid-19th century, transporting essential agricultural goods across the region. Her loss off Long Point Cut highlights the dangers posed by Lake Erie’s volatile weather and challenging geography. Despite attempts to save the vessel, the combination of a fierce gale and the treacherous Long Point reefs sealed her fate. The crew’s survival after 17 hours in the rigging is a testament to their resilience, though the incident also serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners in this era.
Suggested Keywords: Henry Wheaton, Lake Erie shipwrecks, Long Point Cut shipwrecks, Great Lakes schooners, Toledo to Oswego grain trade, 19th-century maritime disasters.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, 19th Century Maritime Disasters.
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Long Point Cut, Dragged Anchor, Grounding on Reef, Corn Cargo Transport.
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