CHARLES SPADEMAN U125158

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The CHARLES SPADEMAN was a three-masted schooner barge, a type of vessel commonly used in the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo such as timber, grain, or coal. Schooner barges like the CHARLES SPADEMAN were particularly versatile, as they could be towed by steamers or operate under sail when conditions were favorable. This vessel, with its robust design and significant cargo capacity, was an important asset in the commercial transportation network of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

HISTORY #

Construction and Early Service:
The CHARLES SPADEMAN was built in 1873 in Marine City, Michigan, by Philip Rice, a well-known shipbuilder of the time. The vessel was constructed primarily for use in the Great Lakes, where it operated for over three decades. Originally owned by Rice et al. in East China, Michigan, the schooner barge was later sold to Scott Bros. of Marine City. The CHARLES SPADEMAN was used in various roles throughout its life, functioning both as a traditional schooner under sail and as a barge when towed by other vessels.

Notable Incidents:
The CHARLES SPADEMAN experienced several accidents during its years of service. In 1903, the vessel collided with the steamer R. E. BUNSEN in the St. Clair River, resulting in a sinking. Fortunately, the vessel was salvaged and returned to service after the incident.

Final Voyage and Sinking:
Tragically, on December 10, 1909, the CHARLES SPADEMAN foundered in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, near South Bass Island. At the time of the sinking, four individuals were on board, but fortunately, there were no fatalities. The cause of the sinking was not well-documented, but it marked the end of the vessel’s service. The wreck became a navigational hazard in the South Passage of Lake Erie.

Salvage Operation:
The wreck of the CHARLES SPADEMAN was officially removed from the South Passage in 1910. According to a report from the Buffalo Evening News on April 27, 1910, the vessel’s wreckage was cleared, allowing a safe depth of 28 feet over the site. The operation was overseen by Lieutenant Colonel John Mills of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stationed in Cleveland. Following the successful removal of the wreck, the buoy that had been marking the location was also removed, signaling the end of the vessel as a hazard.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The CHARLES SPADEMAN was successfully removed from its resting place in South Passage, Lake Erie, in 1910. The wreck had posed a navigational hazard due to its location in a busy shipping lane, but after the salvage, the site was cleared to a safe depth of 28 feet. The scattered remains of the vessel are no longer a threat to navigation.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

The wreck of the CHARLES SPADEMAN was cleared in 1910, and no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to this specific site. The location is no longer marked by a buoy, indicating that the wreck no longer poses a significant risk to vessels navigating the area.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The CHARLES SPADEMAN was located and identified after its sinking in December 1909, near South Bass Island, Lake Erie. The wreck was removed in April 1910 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the site has since been cleared.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

• [Buffalo Evening News, April 27, 1910]
• Great Lakes Ships
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION #

The schooner barge CHARLES SPADEMAN is remembered for its long service on the Great Lakes and its unfortunate series of accidents, culminating in its final sinking in 1909. Despite the vessel’s resilience, its career ended when it foundered near South Bass Island, Lake Erie. The successful removal of the wreck in 1910 marked the conclusion of the vessel’s story. Today, the CHARLES SPADEMAN stands as a testament to the challenges faced by Great Lakes vessels during the era of sail and early steam.

Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Schooner Barge, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwreck Resilience, South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay, Marine City Michigan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers