IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: CHARLES SPADEMAN

• Vessel Type: Schooner Barge

• Year Built: 1873

• Builder: Philip Rice, Marine City, Michigan

• Dimensions:

• Length: 134.2 feet (40.9 meters)

• Beam: 25.9 feet (7.9 meters)

• Depth: 10.8 feet (3.3 meters)

• Tonnage: 306 gross tons

• Home Port: Marine City, Michigan

• Primary Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie

• Primary Use: Cargo transportation (timber, grain, coal)

• Final Disposition: Foundered near South Bass Island, Lake Erie, in December 1909. Removed in 1910.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CHARLES SPADEMAN was a three-masted Schooner Barge, designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. These vessels were versatile and vital in supporting commerce during the 19th century, serving as both standalone sailing ships and towable barges. The robust wooden Hull and efficient design enabled the vessel to adapt to varying conditions and demands.

HISTORY

Construction and Service Life

Built in 1873 by Philip Rice in Marine City, Michigan, the CHARLES SPADEMAN began its career under the ownership of Rice et al. It served for decades on the Great Lakes, transitioning between traditional Schooner operations and Barge roles. Its primary cargoes included timber, grain, and coal, essential commodities for the burgeoning industrial economy of the Great Lakes region.

Notable Incidents

The vessel endured multiple mishaps during its career, showcasing its resilience:

• In 1903, it collided with the Steamer R. E. BUNSEN in the St. Clair River, resulting in a sinking. The Schooner was salvaged and returned to service after extensive repairs.

Final Voyage and Sinking

On December 10, 1909, while near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, the CHARLES SPADEMAN Foundered during a routine voyage. Despite the sinking, all four individuals aboard survived. The exact cause of the incident remains unclear. Following its sinking, the wreck became a navigational hazard in the busy South Passage near South Bass Island in Lake Erie.

Salvage Operations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertook a salvage operation in April 1910 to clear the wreck. Under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel John Mills, the operation successfully removed the remains, restoring a safe navigation depth of 28 feet. After the wreck’s removal, the marking buoy was also taken down.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CHARLES SPADEMAN was declared a Total Loss following its sinking. The wreckage, initially a hazard, was removed by salvage crews in 1910, effectively ending the vessel’s presence in Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

The wreck, once a navigation concern, has been completely removed since 1910, and there are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for the site. The South Passage is now clear for navigation.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The CHARLES SPADEMAN’s location was identified shortly after its sinking in 1909 near South Bass Island, Lake Erie. Salvage operations were completed in 1910.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck was cleared entirely in 1910, and no remnants are believed to remain. The site no longer poses a hazard or serves as a dive location.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Buffalo Evening News (April 27, 1910): Details on the wreck’s removal.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Information on the vessel and its service history.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival records on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Extensive resources on Great Lakes maritime heritage.

CONCLUSION

The Schooner Barge CHARLES SPADEMAN exemplified the challenges and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1873, it served as a dependable cargo vessel for over 35 years. Despite surviving earlier accidents, its career ended with a sinking near South Bass Island in 1909. The successful removal of the wreck in 1910 underscores the efforts to maintain safe navigation in the Great Lakes. Today, the CHARLES SPADEMAN’s story is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Erie.

KEYWORDS

• CHARLES SPADEMAN

• Great Lakes Schooner Barge

• South Bass Island Shipwreck

• Put-in-Bay Shipwreck

• Great Lakes Maritime History

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Salvage

• 19th Century Great Lakes Vessels

• Schooner Collisions Lake Erie