Other Names:
S.O. & Co. #85 – 1913 S.T. Co. No. 85 – 1916, SCOCONY 85 – 1918, GOTHAM 85 – 1930
Site Description
- Barge/Tanker
- 78ffw 25m
- 250ft Length
- Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
- 41 47.468 N 81 36.006 W
History
The tanker barge CLEVECO was being towed by the tug ADMIRAL from Toledo to Cleveland, carrying approximately one million gallons of fuel oil. They encountered a violent storm characterized by blinding snow and gale force winds, with waves reaching as high as 18 feet.
During the early morning hours, the crew of the CLEVECO noticed that the tow line from the ADMIRAL was angled down into the lake, raising concerns that the tug had sunk. Captain Smith urgently radioed for help to Lorain, although he failed to provide the correct position of the vessel. Despite immediate assistance being dispatched, locating the CLEVECO proved challenging. Eventually, a civilian air patrol plane spotted the vessel offshore of Cleveland, leading the Coast Guard cutter OSSIPEE to establish contact.
At first, the crew of the CLEVECO declined assistance, believing that their situation would improve. Tragically, this proved to be a fatal error in judgment. As conditions worsened and the crew realized the gravity of their situation, they radioed for help. However, due to the storm, the cutter was unable to locate the CLEVECO, and radio contact eventually ceased. Regrettably, all 18 crew members aboard the Cleveco perished in this disaster. For a more detailed account of the incident, please refer to the shipwreck Admiral.
According to the David Swayze Shipwreck File, the Cleveco was a steel tanker barge built in 1913 by American Shipbuilding in Lorain, Ohio. It had dimensions of 250 feet in length, 43 feet in width, and 25 feet in depth. The barge had a gross tonnage of 2,441 and a net tonnage of 2,042. On December 2, 1942, it was lost approximately 9 miles off the coast of Cleveland in Lake Erie during a storm.
The cause of the loss was attributed to the violent gale, which separated the Cleveco from the sinking tug Admiral. The barge battled against the storm for hours while the Coast Guard Cutter Ossipee arrived to provide assistance. However, initially, the Cleveco’s crew declined assistance. Later, when they decided to be taken off the barge, the Ossipee, which had pulled back to avoid a collision, was unable to visually relocate the Cleveco. Subsequently, the Cleveco lost radio contact and sank with all hands on board.
The wreck of the Cleveco was moved in 1962 and now rests in 71 feet of water, approximately 16.8 miles away from the Cleveland East Entrance light. The vessel was listed as a schooner-barge in Merchant Vessels records prior to 1934. Additionally, it is included in the lists of U.S. World War II war losses.
