Other Names #
- ELLA BATES
The Eli Bates, also known as Ella Bates, was a wooden schooner that was built in 1857 by George Hardison in Erie, Pennsylvania. It had an official number of 7236. The vessel had a length of 137 feet, a beam of 26.1 feet, and a depth of 11 feet. Its tonnage was recorded as 365 tons.
On November 16, 1871, the Eli Bates met with a tragic fate. While sailing in Lake Erie, approximately 7 miles north of Ashtabula, Ohio, the vessel foundered during a gale. The ship disappeared, and no identifiable wreckage or bodies were found initially. However, topmasts that were later discovered between Ashtabula and Conneaut were identified as belonging to the Eli Bates. In June of the following year, the wreck was located in 14 fathoms (approximately 84 feet) of water off Conneaut. The vessel had been carrying a cargo of wheat and was bound for Sheboygan, Wisconsin, en route to Buffalo, New York. Unfortunately, all nine crew members aboard the Eli Bates were lost in the incident.
Prior to its loss, the Eli Bates had a history of incidents and repairs. In September 1870, the schooner went ashore on Windmill Point in Lake Erie, requiring significant repairs. It underwent major repairs following that incident.
The Eli Bates was owned out of Buffalo, New York, and later owned by Captain J. Montgomery of Detroit. The master of the vessel at the time of its loss was Captain Timothy McEwen.
