S.F. GALE (also referred to as S.E. GALE) U22343

2 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name: S.F. GALE (also referred to as S.E. GALE)
Type: Wooden Schooner (originally built as a brig)
Date of Incident: November 28, 1876
Location: Near Fairport, approximately 10 to 12 miles off Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
Coordinates: 41° 44.455′ N, 81° 52.922′ W
Depth: 78 feet (25 meters)
Condition: Foundered during a storm; wreck remains on the lakebed

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The S.F. GALE was a wooden schooner originally built as a brig in 1846 by B.B. Jones in Chicago. The vessel had undergone multiple rebuilds and conversions over its 30-year service life. Measuring 123 feet in length, 24 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, the S.F. GALE had a gross tonnage of 266 and a net tonnage of 225. The schooner was equipped with two masts and served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, transporting a variety of goods.

HISTORY #

Launched in 1846, the S.F. GALE had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, marked by several significant incidents. In November 1850, the vessel collided with the schooner TELEGRAPH in the Straits of Mackinac, resulting in its capsizing and sinking. Despite this, the S.F. GALE was recovered and continued to serve, although it faced further mishaps, including collisions and strandings in locations such as Mackinac, Manitou, Pt. Abino, and Lake Huron.

On November 28, 1876, the S.F. GALE encountered a severe storm while en route from Marblehead, Ohio, to Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying a cargo of mixed merchandise and stone. The vessel foundered near Fairport, Ohio, and tragically, all seven crew members, including Captain Andrew Hillson, lost their lives. The storm also led to confusion regarding the loss of another vessel, but subsequent investigations confirmed that the S.F. GALE was the vessel that had gone down.

The S.F. GALE was owned by Captain Andrew Hillson and others at the time of its sinking. The vessel’s home port was Chicago, and it had been in service for three decades before its final, fateful voyage. The loss of the S.F. GALE and its crew added to the somber history of maritime disasters on Lake Erie.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The S.F. GALE foundered during the storm of November 28, 1876, near Fairport, Ohio, and its wreck lies at a depth of 78 feet in Lake Erie. The wreckage includes the cabin and other parts of the ship, some of which washed ashore in the days following the incident. The wreck remains as a testament to the dangers of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during the harsh winter months.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site, but the location has been documented as part of Lake Erie’s historical shipwrecks.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreckage of the S.F. GALE was discovered following the storm in November 1876, with some parts of the vessel, including the cabin, washing ashore on December 2, 1876.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the S.F. GALE lies in 78 feet of water off the coast of Cleveland, Ohio. The site is accessible to divers, though the wreck is scattered and may be partially buried or deteriorated due to its age and the impact of the storm. The remains of the vessel serve as a significant historical site, reflecting the challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical newspaper reports, maritime records, and survivor accounts.
Further Reading:

CONCLUSION #

The sinking of the S.F. GALE on November 28, 1876, during a severe storm on Lake Erie, marked the end of a vessel with a long and storied history. The loss of all seven crew members, including Captain Andrew Hillson, was a tragic reminder of the perils faced by those who navigated the Great Lakes. The wreck of the S.F. GALE remains an important historical site, providing insight into the challenges of maritime life in the 19th century.