Shipwreck Report: CITY OF PAINESVILLE

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: CITY OF PAINESVILLE

•Type: Three-Masted Wooden Bark

•Date of Incident: October 18, 1874

•Location: Off Ashtabula, Ohio, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: Approx. 41°50’N, 80°30’W

•Depth: ~70 feet (21 meters)

•Condition: Total Loss; wreck and coal cargo scattered on lakebed. Site remains largely unexplored.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CITY OF PAINESVILLE was a wooden Bark, a three-masted sailing ship designed primarily for cargo transport. Built in 1867 by Bailey Bros. in Fairport, Ohio, the vessel was specifically constructed for the Great Lakes trade. Its dimensions—132 feet in length, 34 feet in beam, and 13 feet in depth—and Gross Tonnage of 601 tons made it capable of hauling large bulk cargoes such as coal, which it carried on its final voyage. The Bark’s sturdy build exemplified the design of mid-19th-century Great Lakes cargo vessels.

HISTORY

Construction and Service:

The CITY OF PAINESVILLE was launched in 1867 and owned by W.H. Ingram of Buffalo, New York. Serving the Great Lakes’ bustling cargo routes, it transported bulk goods such as coal, a critical resource for the industrial growth of the region. The vessel encountered several grounding incidents during its career, including:

•1869: Stranded north of Manistee, Michigan.

•1872: Ran aground near Escanaba, Michigan.

Final Voyage:

On October 18, 1874, the CITY OF PAINESVILLE was acting as a consort to the propeller COLIN CAMPBELL, transporting coal. Faced with worsening winds, the Bark was released to sail independently under its own canvas to improve speed. Shortly after, the Bark collided with the Schooner HALSTEAD near Ashtabula, Ohio.

The collision caused severe damage to the Bark’s port bow, and it sank rapidly, disappearing into the depths of Lake Erie within minutes. The entire crew survived, escaping to the HALSTEAD in a lifeboat. However, the financial loss was devastating:

•Vessel value: $75,000

•Cargo insured for $9,000 and $7,300 (Detroit Fire and Union Marine insurance companies).

•The owner had recently canceled half of the vessel’s insurance coverage, compounding the financial impact.

The wreck and coal cargo were declared unsalvageable, and the CITY OF PAINESVILLE was a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CITY OF PAINESVILLE sank to the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Erie, off the coast of Ashtabula, Ohio. The wreck lies at an estimated 70 feet (21 meters). Though the general location has been known since its sinking, the wreck remains largely unexplored. Its condition is presumed to be deteriorated, with the wooden structure scattered across the lakebed along with remnants of its coal cargo.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the CITY OF PAINESVILLE wreck. However, the site is of historical interest and may warrant caution for divers and researchers exploring the area.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition:

The wreck is likely heavily degraded due to age and environmental factors. The wooden Hull and coal cargo remain scattered, providing a potential site for future archaeological exploration.

•Accessibility:

Resting at a moderate depth of 70 feet (21 meters), the site is accessible to experienced divers. However, detailed mapping and exploration efforts have yet to be reported.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Primary Sources:

•Historical newspaper accounts, including the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser and Cleveland Herald.

•Shipwreck records: David Swayze Shipwreck File, Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

•Further Reading:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical vessel and shipwreck archives.

•Great Lakes Ships: Detailed database of vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

•Local maritime museums and archives in Ohio.

CONCLUSION

The CITY OF PAINESVILLE is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite its sturdy design and history of service, the vessel’s untimely loss due to a collision in rough weather illustrates the challenges of navigation and cargo transport during that era. The survival of the entire crew highlights the resilience and quick thinking of sailors, even under dire circumstances. Today, the wreck remains a largely unexplored chapter in Lake Erie’s rich maritime history, offering opportunities for research and underwater exploration.

KEYWORDS

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