CLARA BELL (Other Names: CLARA BELLE)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: CLARA BELL (seen as CLARA BELLE in some records)

• Vessel Type: Schooner

• Builder: Ira Laffrinier, Cleveland, Ohio

• Year Built: 1860s

• Dimensions:

• Length: 106 feet (32.3 meters)

• Beam (Width): 26 feet (7.9 meters)

• Depth of Hold: 8 feet 8 inches (2.6 meters)

• Tonnage: 219 tons

• Owner: Boston-based company

• Primary Use: Coasting trade and transportation

• Final Disposition: Wrecked in 1875 near Leamington, Ontario, Lake Erie

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CLARA BELL was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used for bulk cargo transportation in the 19th century. Schooners were known for their multiple masts and fore-and-aft rigging, making them versatile and well-suited for coastal and Great Lakes trade. The CLARA BELL was designed for coasting trade, efficiently transporting goods between ports such as Buffalo, Chicago, and Boston.

HISTORY

The CLARA BELL was constructed in Cleveland, Ohio, at Ira Laffrinier’s shipyard in the 1860s. Commissioned by a Boston-based company, the Schooner was employed in the regional trade of goods, including lumber, grain, and other commodities essential to the growing economy of the Great Lakes and coastal regions. Captain G. W. Barst of Boston was one of its notable commanders, overseeing its voyages along its trade routes.

In the 1870s, the CLARA BELL came under the command of Captain William Robinson, hailing from Kelley’s Island, Ohio. The Schooner was a familiar sight on the lakes, known for its reliable service in the bustling maritime trade of the era.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Tragedy struck in 1875 when the CLARA BELL encountered a severe gale while navigating Lake Erie. The ship wrecked off Leamington, Ontario. The storm claimed the life of Captain William Robinson, a loss that underscored the perilous nature of sailing on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

The exact details of the wreck remain unclear, but the incident serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous conditions faced by sailors.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the CLARA BELL. The exact location of the wreck has not been definitively identified, and it is presumed to have been lost to time or buried under sediment near Leamington, Ontario.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database for shipwreck records.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository for Great Lakes vessels and historical accounts.

• Library and Archives Canada: For historical documentation on Canadian shipwrecks.

CONCLUSION

The CLARA BELL was a vital part of the Great Lakes maritime trade during the mid-19th century. Built for coasting and cargo transport, it played an essential role in connecting communities and facilitating commerce. Its tragic loss in 1875 near Leamington highlights the risks faced by those who navigated the often-turbulent waters of Lake Erie. Although the wreck has not been located, the memory of the CLARA BELL lives on in maritime history, commemorating the courage and resilience of Great Lakes sailors.

Keywords: Clara Bell, Schooner wreck, Lake Erie shipwreck, 19th-century maritime history, Leamington Ontario, Ira Laffrinier, Great Lakes trade