In the lore of Lake Erie’s maritime history, the schooner T.G. COLT occupies a somber chapter marked by the relentless forces of nature and the poignant loss of life. Built in 1846 at Black River, Ohio, this wooden vessel embarked on a journey that would lead to its tragic demise and the heart-wrenching loss of a crew member.
Constructed with care and craftsmanship, the T.G. COLT was a schooner of significance, boasting a single deck and two masts. With a tonnage of 90 tons by the old-style measurement, it held promise as a vessel capable of navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Erie.
For over a decade, the T.G. COLT was an active presence in the Presque Isle District, known for its journeys across the lake. However, a series of unfortunate events would come to define its legacy.
In 1854, the vessel suffered a significant setback when it struck a breakwater in an attempt to enter Buffalo harbor. Despite being pulled off and brought into Erie basin, the T.G. COLT ultimately filled with water and sank—an incident that foreshadowed the vessel’s tragic fate.
The year 1859 marked a turning point for the T.G. COLT. On July 3rd, while en route from Erie to Buffalo with a cargo of 100 tons of coal, the vessel encountered a fierce storm. The elements conspired against it as the vessel sprang a leak, rapidly taking on water. Despite the crew’s efforts, the T.G. COLT succumbed to the forces of nature, sinking into the depths of Lake Erie.
The tragedy was compounded by the loss of a crew member, John M. Barley, the cook of the vessel. As the wind howled from the northeast, the vessel met its fate off Barcelona, New York. The ferocity of the storm and the vessel’s quick descent left little room for escape.
The T.G. COLT, owned by its captain William Langley, became a poignant reminder of the perils faced by mariners on Lake Erie. Its estimated value of $2,000 and its cargo of coal were lost to the depths, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the waters.
As the Erie Gazette reported the sinking, the story of the T.G. COLT resonated with the community. The vessel’s tragic end served as a somber testament to the challenges faced by sailors and the sacrifices made in their pursuit of navigating the vast expanse of Lake Erie.
Today, the memory of the T.G. COLT serves as a tribute to the resilience and courage of those who braved the waters of Lake Erie, a reminder that the stories of vessels lost to storms and misfortune are woven into the very fabric of the lake’s history. The schooner T.G. COLT, once a vessel of promise, became a symbol of the unpredictable and often harsh realities faced by those who sought to conquer the great inland sea.
