IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The ELI BATES, also known as ELLA BATES, was a wooden schooner constructed in 1857 by George Hardison in Erie, Pennsylvania. The vessel was built with the purpose of transporting bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes, a common and essential task for schooners of that era. With dimensions of 137 feet in length, 26.1 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth, the ELI BATES had a tonnage of 365 tons, making it a sizable and robust vessel for its time. Schooners like the ELI BATES were known for their agility and capacity to navigate the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY:
The ELI BATES had an eventful history leading up to its tragic demise in 1871. The vessel was initially built and registered in Erie, Pennsylvania, and over the years, it saw various ownerships and a series of incidents that necessitated repairs.
In September 1870, the schooner experienced significant damage when it ran ashore on Windmill Point in Lake Erie. This incident required major repairs, highlighting the vessel’s vulnerability to the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Despite these setbacks, the ELI BATES continued its service, transporting cargoes such as wheat across the lakes.
On November 16, 1871, while en route to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with a cargo of wheat bound for Buffalo, New York, the ELI BATES encountered a severe gale approximately 7 miles north of Ashtabula, Ohio. The ship and its crew of nine were tragically lost to the storm. The vessel disappeared without a trace, leaving behind no immediately identifiable wreckage or bodies. It wasn’t until June of the following year that the wreck of the ELI BATES was discovered in 14 fathoms (approximately 84 feet) of water off Conneaut, Ohio. The topmasts, which were later found between Ashtabula and Conneaut, were identified as belonging to the lost schooner.
The ELI BATES was owned out of Buffalo, New York, and later came under the ownership of Captain J. Montgomery of Detroit. At the time of its sinking, Captain Timothy McEwen was at the helm.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The ELI BATES was lost in a severe gale on Lake Erie on November 16, 1871. The wreck was not located until the following year, and no survivors or bodies were found immediately after the incident. The wreckage lay in 84 feet of water off the coast of Conneaut, Ohio. The vessel and its entire crew of nine were lost, marking the end of the schooner’s service on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the ELI BATES have been issued. The site, located in 84 feet of water, is not known to pose a significant navigational hazard.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the ELI BATES was located in June 1872, approximately 7 months after the vessel foundered in a gale off the coast of Ashtabula, Ohio.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
CONCLUSION:
The story of the ELI BATES is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite the schooner’s robust construction and history of service, it ultimately succumbed to the relentless forces of nature. The vessel’s loss, along with its crew, underscores the perils of maritime travel in an era when weather forecasting was rudimentary and rescue operations were limited. The discovery of the wreck in 1872 brought some closure to the tragic event, but the loss of the ELI BATES remains a significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Erie.
Keywords:
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