Here is the formalized entry for the Caroline A. Bemis (also known as C. A. Bemis):

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Caroline A. Bemis (C. A. Bemis)

•Type: Wooden Brig

•Built: 1849, Irving, New York

•Tonnage: 207 tons

•Location of Sinking: Lake Erie, near Black River, Ohio (midway between Cleveland and Point Pelee)

•Depth at Location: Approx. 75 ft (23 m)

•Site Status: Total Loss; remains unrecovered

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Caroline A. Bemis was a wooden Brig built in 1849, designed for general cargo transport. With a tonnage of 207 tons, it was a medium-sized vessel for its era, serving the busy trade routes of the Great Lakes. It was equipped for the rigors of Great Lakes navigation but was vulnerable to accidents like many wooden vessels of its time.

HISTORY

The Caroline A. Bemis had a relatively short but active operational life. It was initially enrolled in Buffalo, New York, from 1849 to 1852, transferred to Sandusky, Ohio, in 1852, and then returned to Buffalo for enrollment in 1853-1854. Owned by E.K. Bruce and Captain Ferris, both of Buffalo, the vessel was used to transport various goods across Lake Erie and other parts of the Great Lakes.

Collision and Sinking:

•Date: September 30, 1854

•Incident Details:

While en route from Cleveland to Chicago carrying 200 tons of coal, the Caroline A. Bemis collided with another Brig, the Caroline, which was sailing from Chicago to Buffalo with a cargo of corn. The collision occurred around midnight near Black River, Ohio.

The Caroline A. Bemis sustained catastrophic damage forward of the fore chains, nearly to the waterline. It sank within ten minutes in deep water.

Outcome:

•Casualties: None. Crew members either boarded the Caroline or escaped in the Bemis’s small boat.

•Vessel Damage: Total Loss, with the wreck settling at approximately 75 ft (23 m).

•Cargo Loss: 200 tons of coal.

•Property Loss: Estimated at $7,000 (uncertain if this includes both vessels).

A few days after the sinking, the Caroline A. Bemis’s masts were reported visible above the waterline, with its sails still set, serving as a haunting reminder of the collision.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Caroline A. Bemis was declared a Total Loss following the collision and sinking in 1854. Its remains lie in deep water in Lake Erie, near Black River, Ohio. The wreck has not been recovered or fully documented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site. Divers and maritime enthusiasts should note that the exact condition and location of the wreck remain uncertain.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck’s exact location is presumed to be near Black River, Ohio, in Lake Erie, based on historical accounts of the collision and the sighting of the emergent masts shortly after the incident.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Details on the Caroline A. Bemis.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Records of Great Lakes vessels.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive historical archives.

KEYWORDS

Caroline A. Bemis, C. A. Bemis, Wooden Brig, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Black River Ohio, 1854 Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime History, Coal Transport, Collision Incident.

ANALYSIS

The loss of the Caroline A. Bemis is a poignant example of the dangers faced by wooden vessels navigating the busy trade routes of the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. The collision with the Caroline underscores the challenges of nighttime navigation and the vulnerability of even well-built ships of the era. The Total Loss of the vessel and its coal cargo contributed to the growing list of maritime casualties on Lake Erie, highlighting the inherent risks of the region’s maritime commerce.