Identification & Site Information
• Name: PLUMMER, C.H.
• Type: Wooden Schooner (later scow)
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder: William Huddock, Sandusky, Ohio
• Dimensions:
• Length: 116.5 feet (35.5 m)
• Beam: 28.3 feet (8.6 m)
• Depth: 8.2 feet (2.5 m)
• Tonnage:
• Gross: 219.43 tons
• Net: 208.56 tons
• Final Location: Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: N42°35.859, W82°43.914
• Depth: 18 feet (6 m)
• Date of Loss: November 21, 1888
Vessel Type Description
The PLUMMER, C.H. was a single-masted wooden Schooner with a plain head and square Stern, typical of late 19th-century vessels designed for bulk cargo transportation. Built in Sandusky, Ohio, it was specifically constructed to handle heavy loads, such as stone, with simplicity and efficiency in mind. Schooners like the PLUMMER, C.H. were commonly used on the Great Lakes for short-haul transport.
History
Construction and Ownership
The PLUMMER, C.H. was constructed in 1888 by William Huddock, a skilled master carpenter in Sandusky, Ohio. Upon completion, the Schooner was owned by E.L. Redding and associates, with its home port listed as Sandusky. Ownership later passed to A.J. Helbing, also based in Sandusky.
Design and Specifications
• Deck Configuration: Single Deck
• Hull Type: Wooden construction, plain head, and square Stern
• Primary Use: Transporting bulk cargo, especially stone
• Mast Configuration: Single mast
Final Voyage and Fire
On November 21, 1888, while carrying a cargo of stone, the PLUMMER, C.H. caught fire and was completely destroyed near Kelley’s Island in Lake Erie. The fire consumed the vessel entirely, rendering it a Total Loss. No information is available regarding casualties, suggesting that the crew may have escaped unharmed. The vessel’s documents were surrendered in Sandusky following its destruction, formally marking the end of its service.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the PLUMMER, C.H. lies near Kelley’s Island at a depth of 18 feet (6 m). It remains a Total Loss, with no significant recovery or preservation efforts recorded. The remains of the vessel may still rest on the lakebed, primarily serving as an artifact of Great Lakes maritime history.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given its shallow depth of 18 feet, the wreck of the PLUMMER, C.H. is accessible to divers. However, as the vessel was destroyed by fire, it is likely that only charred and deteriorated remnants of the Hull remain. The site is suitable for exploration by recreational divers with an interest in Great Lakes shipwrecks.
Resources & Links
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks
• Great Lakes Ships Database
Conclusion
The PLUMMER, C.H. stands as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes vessels during the 19th century. From its brief operational life as a stone-carrying Schooner to its tragic end by fire, the vessel’s story highlights the fragility of early wooden ships in the face of uncontrollable elements. The wreck near Kelley’s Island continues to contribute to the rich tapestry of Lake Erie’s maritime history.
Keywords
PLUMMER, C.H., Schooner, scow, Kelley’s Island shipwreck, Lake Erie, 19th-century maritime history, stone cargo vessel, Great Lakes fire disaster, Sandusky shipbuilding.
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