TWO FANNIES U24144

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Two Fannies was a schooner built for cargo transport, primarily carrying stone. Measuring 152 feet in length, the vessel was typical of the schooners that plied the waters of the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. It was a wooden-hulled sailing ship, designed to handle the heavy loads and challenging conditions of Lake Erie.

The vessel underwent several repairs and ownership changes over its operational life, including significant repairs in 1876. The schooner was owned by Mary Eldred of Chicago in 1865 and eventually foundered in Lake Erie in 1890.

HISTORY #

The Two Fannies had a service history marked by its role in transporting stone and other heavy cargoes across the Great Lakes:

• 1865: The schooner was owned by Mary Eldred of Chicago, Illinois.
• 1876: Underwent large repairs, indicating the vessel’s continued importance in cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• August 10, 1890: The Two Fannies foundered in Lake Erie during a gale. The incident led to the sinking of the vessel near Cleveland Harbor.

On an early morning in July 1891, two schooners, including the Two Fannies, were lost near Cleveland Harbor. The Two Fannies encountered a leak and sank at daybreak. Fortunately, the crew, including Captain Miller, escaped safely in a yawl. The vessel was carrying stone at the time and was fully insured.

In a related incident, another schooner, the Fayette Brown, had sunk near the dummy in a collision with one of the Northern Steamship Company’s steel boats. The spars of the Two Fannies, which had foundered earlier, were submerged just a few feet below the water’s surface, posing a hazard to navigation.

The Two Fannies was eventually deemed not worth raising by the owner, Mr. M.A. Bradley, and the sunken hull was left as a total loss with no claims of ownership.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Two Fannies remains submerged in Lake Erie near Cleveland Harbor. The spars are just a few feet below the water’s surface, making it a potential hazard to navigation. The wreck has not been raised and is considered a total loss. The site now serves as a historical wreck in Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. Mariners and divers should be cautious when navigating the area, as the spars of the Two Fannies are submerged just below the water’s surface.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the Two Fannies was reported following its sinking in 1890. The site was known to local maritime authorities and remains documented in historical records.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the Two Fannies lies in 60 feet of water, making it accessible to experienced divers. The spars, which are just a few feet below the surface, pose a navigation hazard and indicate the general location of the wreck. The site is likely in a deteriorated condition due to its age and exposure to the elements.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime logs, and newspaper archives.
• Further Reading:
  • Great Lakes Ships
  • Erie Wrecks
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • Cleveland Plain Dealer Archives
  • Buffalo Morning Express

CONCLUSION #

The Two Fannies schooner, with its long service on the Great Lakes, met its end in a gale in 1890. The wreck now lies near Cleveland Harbor, partially submerged and posing a risk to navigation with its spars just below the water’s surface. The site serves as a historical reminder of the dangers faced by schooners on Lake Erie and the challenges they presented as wrecks in the busy waters of the Great Lakes.

TAGS #

• Tags: #GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #Schooner #TwoFannies #ClevelandHarbor #HistoricalShipwreck #UnderwaterExploration