IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Walter Metcalf was a wooden tugboat, used primarily for towing larger vessels and assisting with docking and navigation in harbors. Tugboats were vital to the operation of ports, especially in challenging weather conditions and congested areas.
HISTORY #
The Walter Metcalf met its end near the breakwater light off Cleveland, Ohio. The exact circumstances of the sinking are unknown, but it is likely that the vessel encountered severe weather or struck an obstacle, leading to its sinking. Tugboats like the Walter Metcalf were often exposed to hazardous conditions due to their role in guiding larger ships through difficult waters.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The wreck of the Walter Metcalf lies near the breakwater light off Cleveland, Ohio, where it likely remains a submerged hazard to navigation. Such wrecks are often left in place unless they pose a significant risk, in which case they might be removed or marked with buoys.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
- Located by: Unknown
- Date of Discovery: Unknown
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There may be specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the Walter Metcalf wreck site if it poses a significant hazard to navigation.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Walter Metcalf on Great Lakes Ships (if available)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Walter Metcalf on Maritime History of the Great Lakes (if available)
CONCLUSION #
The Sarah E. Sheldon, King Fisher, and Walter Metcalf are examples of vessels that met tragic ends on Lake Erie, each contributing to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. These ships represent the challenges faced by sailors navigating these often-treacherous waters.
KEYWORDS #
- Sarah E. Sheldon steamer
- King Fisher schooner
- Walter Metcalf tugboat
- Lake Erie shipwrecks
- Cleveland shipwrecks
- Lorain shipwrecks
- Great Lakes maritime history
- 19th-century shipwrecks
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #
These wrecks serve as reminders of the perils that Great Lakes mariners faced, and their stories continue to be of interest to historians, divers, and maritime enthusiasts. Preservation and continued research into these wrecks help keep the history of the Great Lakes alive.
