IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The G.M. ABELL, originally known as the JOHN YOUNG, was a two-masted wooden brigantine or schooner, a common vessel type used for cargo transport across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. The vessel was carvel built, rigged as a schooner, and equipped with a standing bowsprit. It was a versatile vessel, serving various owners and routes throughout its operational history.
HISTORY: #
The vessel was constructed in 1853 in Port Robinson, Ontario, by J. & J. Abbey, initially named the JOHN YOUNG. The schooner had a tonnage of 198 tons and was classified as Class C. It saw multiple ownership changes throughout its history, with its home ports including Hamilton, Ontario, Dunkirk, Ontario, and later Cleveland, Ohio.
Significant incidents marked the vessel’s history. In 1858, the schooner capsized off Erie, Pennsylvania, but the crew was rescued, and the vessel was towed to Buffalo by the propeller Missouri. In 1861, the vessel sprang a leak on Lake Erie and underwent repairs. Later that year, it collided with the brig Walbridge below Bar Point on Lake Erie, with both vessels subsequently repaired.
In 1864, the vessel was renamed GEORGE M. ABELL (or ABLE) and was owned by James Murray, with a home port in Dunkirk, Ontario. It continued to serve as a cargo vessel, transporting goods across the Great Lakes. By 1871, under U.S. registration number 10219, the vessel had a tonnage of 146.51 tons and was homeported in Cleveland, Ohio.
Tragically, the G.M. ABELL met its demise on August 29, 1871, when it broke up during a storm on Lake Erie. The vessel, which had endured numerous hardships and repairs throughout its life, was unable to withstand the severe weather, leading to its final loss.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The G.M. ABELL was lost on August 29, 1871, during a storm on Lake Erie. The vessel broke up, and while specific details about the wreck site or any salvage operations are not available, the incident marked the end of its long and storied career on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the G.M. ABELL. However, the vessel’s loss in 1871 highlights the dangers faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes during this period.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck was not formally documented or discovered after its loss. The site of the wreck is in Lake Erie, where the vessel was last reported before it broke up in the storm.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and there is no available information on its accessibility for diving or research purposes. Given the passage of time and the nature of the wreck, it is likely that the remains are scattered and deteriorated.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
Tags: #
- #GreatLakesShipwrecks
- #LakeErie
- #Brigantine
- #Schooner
- #MaritimeHistory
- #ShipwreckResearch
Conclusion: #
The G.M. ABELL, initially launched as the JOHN YOUNG, was a vessel that witnessed the dynamic and often perilous conditions of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. Its history is marked by ownership changes, incidents, and eventual renaming, reflecting the vessel’s long service life. The tragic loss of the G.M. ABELL in a storm on Lake Erie in 1871 serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by maritime vessels of the era. The story of this vessel remains a significant chapter in the broader history of Great Lakes shipping.
