Identification & Site Information

• Name: CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON
• Former Names: Built as BUTCHER BOY (US#2149), renamed CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON in 1881 (also seen as C.L. HUTCHINSON)
• Official Number: 125951
• Type at Loss: Schooner-barge, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1866
• Builder: Eaton & Church, Cleveland, Ohio
• Measurements: 166 ft (50.6 m) length, 28 ft (8.5 m) beam, 8 ft (2.4 m) depth; 297 tons
• Date Lost: October 3, 1887
• Place of Loss: 5 miles above Buffalo Breakwater, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner-Barge

Description

The CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON was a wooden Schooner-Barge originally built as the BUTCHER BOY in 1866 by Eaton & Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed for the Great Lakes bulk freight industry, the vessel was 166 feet long and primarily used to transport heavy cargo such as lumber. In 1881, the vessel was Rebuilt, during which time she was renamed and renumbered to reflect her new identity as CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON. The Schooner-Barge was owned by Nelson Luddington, a prominent figure in the lumber industry.

History

The CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON operated on Lake Erie and other Great Lakes routes, transporting lumber and other bulk goods essential to the growing industries in the Midwest and northeastern United States. Like many Schooner-barges of the era, she was likely towed by steam-powered vessels but retained her masts for auxiliary sailing when needed.

On October 3, 1887, while anchored 5 miles above Buffalo Breakwater in Lake Erie, the vessel encountered a southwest gale. The crew had anchored the HUTCHINSON in an attempt to ride out the storm, a common practice when facing severe weather. However, the intensity of the gale proved too much for the wooden Hull. The vessel broke up and Foundered, sinking in Lake Erie.

Despite the destruction of the vessel, no lives were lost. The crew managed to escape in the ship’s lifeboat and made it safely to shore. There were erroneous reports at the time suggesting the vessel was lost near Port Colborne, but these have since been corrected to reflect the true location near Buffalo.

Final Disposition

Broke up and Foundered in a southwest gale while anchored 5 miles above Buffalo Breakwater, Lake Erie, on October 3, 1887. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost as the crew safely made it ashore.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON wreck site near Buffalo, Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Buffalo Maritime Center

Conclusion

The CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON‘s loss in 1887 reflects the constant risks faced by Schooner-barges navigating the volatile waters of Lake Erie. Originally launched as the BUTCHER BOY in 1866, the vessel had a long and productive career before succumbing to the harsh weather conditions that frequently plagued Great Lakes shipping routes. Her Rebuild and renaming in 1881 extended her life, but ultimately, the southwest gale off Buffalo proved too strong for the aging wooden Hull. The safe escape of the crew underscores the resilience and preparedness of Great Lakes mariners, while the vessel’s story contributes to the broader history of Great Lakes commerce and maritime heritage.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: CHARLES L. HUTCHINSON Schooner-Barge shipwreck, BUTCHER BOY Schooner, Buffalo Lake Erie shipwreck, Eaton & Church shipbuilders Cleveland, Nelson Luddington lumber fleet
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooner-Barges, Lumber Freighter Shipwrecks, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Late 19th Century Maritime Losses
• Glossary Terms:
• Schooner-Barge: A sailing vessel converted into a Barge for towing by steamships, while still retaining some rigging for auxiliary sail power.
• Foundered: A maritime term indicating that a vessel filled with water and sank, often due to structural failure, severe weather, or overloading.
• Buffalo Breakwater: A critical navigational structure in Buffalo, New York, providing protection for vessels entering and exiting Lake Erie.