Identification & Site Information

• Name: HYPHEN
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 11578
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1861
• Builder: W. Shupe, Milan, Ohio
• Measurements: 122 ft (37.2 m) length, 25 ft (7.6 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; 216 tons (294 tons original measurement)
• Date Lost: September 25, 1868
• Place of Loss: Near Point Pelee, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

Description

The HYPHEN was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1861 by W. Shupe in Milan, Ohio. Designed for cargo transport across Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes, the Schooner was capable of carrying heavy bulk goods, such as iron ore. Her dimensions reflect a typical mid-19th century Schooner, optimized for stability and cargo capacity.

History

Owned by Valentine Fries of Milan, Ohio, the HYPHEN played an active role in the growing iron trade on the Great Lakes during the post-Civil War period. Iron ore, mined from regions around Lake Superior, was a critical commodity, fueling the industrialization of the Midwest and beyond.

In late September 1868, the HYPHEN was transporting a load of iron ore when she encountered a storm near Point Pelee, a notoriously treacherous area on the northwestern edge of Lake Erie. On or around September 23, the Schooner was driven ashore on Point Pelee during the storm.

After the storm subsided, the Tug B. B. JONES was dispatched to assist. The Tug managed to pull the HYPHEN off the reef, but the vessel soon became unmanageable due to the extensive damage sustained during the storm and grounding. Just one mile into the tow toward Detroit, the HYPHEN capsized and Foundered.

Tragically, three members of the Schooner’s temporary crew, including an engineer manning the pumps, were drowned when the vessel went down. The rest of the crew managed to escape, but the loss marked the end of the Schooner’s service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

Capsized and Foundered near Point Pelee, Lake Erie, on September 25, 1868, after being pulled off a reef by the Tug B. B. JONES. The vessel was a Total Loss, and three crew members perished.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the HYPHEN wreck site near Point Pelee, Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Canadian Museum of History

Conclusion

The HYPHEN’s loss in 1868 underscores the dangers inherent in the Great Lakes shipping industry during the 19th century. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel after she went ashore at Point Pelee, the Schooner’s structural damage and the weight of her iron ore cargo made her recovery impossible. The tragedy claimed the lives of three crew members, including the engineer attempting to keep the pumps operational, reflecting the peril faced by sailors and workers in this era. The HYPHEN’s story is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of Lake Erie and the hazards that accompanied the region’s booming maritime commerce.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: HYPHEN Schooner, Point Pelee shipwreck, Lake Erie iron ore shipwreck, B. B. JONES tug salvage, Valentine Fries Milan Ohio, Great Lakes Schooner loss
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Iron Ore Shipwrecks, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
  • Capsized: A term describing a vessel that has overturned in the water, often due to instability from cargo shifts or structural failure.
  • Point Pelee: A prominent and hazardous point on Lake Erie known for frequent ship groundings and wrecks due to shifting sands and sudden storms.
  • Iron Ore Cargo: Bulk cargo consisting of raw iron ore, a common but heavy and difficult material to transport, contributing to ship instability in rough conditions.