Other names
- The Stone Wreck
The barque Indiana, also known as “The Stone Wreck,” was a unique and frequently visited wreck in Erie. It met its unfortunate fate in late September 1870 when it departed from Buffalo with a load of paving stone and flagging, destined for use in construction in downtown Cleveland.
As the Indiana sailed westward toward Cleveland, the weather conditions started to deteriorate, with the wind and waves picking up. Concerned about the worsening conditions, Captain McAdams decided to seek shelter in Port Maitland and the Grand River. However, the ship couldn’t enter the river, and it continued its journey towards Long Point.
During this leg of the journey, the ship began to experience significant leaks and was taking on water rapidly. The crew worked tirelessly with the pumps to keep the ship afloat, but the situation worsened as a squall hit the ship along Long Point’s south beaches. The strong northeasterly gale winds pushed the vessel towards the middle of the lake, causing it to pound heavily in the growing waves.
Compounding the problem, the heavy stone cargo in the hold made it difficult for the crew to undertake any effective repairs. With no viable options left, Captain McAdams decided to turn downwind and head for Erie, abandoning the plan to continue west.
However, several hours later, it became apparent to the crew that the ship was beyond saving. Rapidly filling with water and almost completely swamped, the Indiana was in danger of sinking like a rock due to its heavy cargo. The captain and crew made the difficult decision to abandon the ship approximately 12 miles off the coast of Erie. They escaped in the ship’s lifeboat and managed to reach the shores of Erie safely.
The Indiana continued sailing downwind on its own, but it eventually succumbed to the weight of its cargo and sank at around midnight. This unfortunate incident marked the end of the ship’s useful life as a wooden sailing vessel, but it left behind an intriguing and popular wreck for local divers to explore in Erie’s waters.
