IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The BAY CITY was a wooden schooner built in 1853, with its origins in Vermillion, Ohio. Schooners like the BAY CITY were integral to the commerce of the Great Lakes, known for their agility and capacity to transport large quantities of goods across the lakes. This vessel, with a capacity of 216 tons, was primarily used for carrying various cargoes, including agricultural products like corn, which were essential to the economy of the region during the mid-19th century. The BAY CITY was a typical schooner of its time, designed to endure the often harsh conditions of Lake Erie.
HISTORY:
The BAY CITY had a relatively short but active service life on the Great Lakes. Built in 1853, it operated out of Sandusky, Ohio, a major port city on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The vessel was a part of the robust maritime trade network that connected the agricultural heartlands with the bustling ports of the Great Lakes.
In the autumn of 1859, the BAY CITY embarked on what would be its final voyage, loaded with a cargo of corn. As the vessel sailed across Lake Erie, it encountered a severe storm. The powerful winds and waves pushed the schooner dangerously close to the East Sister Reef, a notorious hazard for ships in that region.
Despite the efforts of the tug BRUCE and the wrecker RELIEF to assist the schooner, the BAY CITY was driven onto the East Sister Reef. The impact left the vessel stranded, with its hull partially exposed in just seven feet of water. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape the wreck unharmed, sparing their lives from the storm’s fury.
Following the incident, the BAY CITY was reported as abandoned around November 24, 1859. There is speculation that additional salvage attempts may have been made in the spring following the wreck, but the outcomes of these efforts remain unclear. The vessel’s abandonment and subsequent fate are shrouded in mystery, contributing to the tragic narrative of the schooner’s final journey.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The BAY CITY was ultimately abandoned after running aground on the East Sister Reef in Lake Erie. Despite the crew’s safe escape, the vessel was left stranded, partially exposed in shallow waters. The ship was likely subjected to salvage attempts, but the success of these efforts is unknown, and the schooner’s remains were never recovered. The BAY CITY‘s final resting place on the reef serves as a silent testament to the dangers of navigating Lake Erie.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the BAY CITY have been issued. The site, located near the East Sister Reef, is not known to pose a significant navigational hazard today but historically was a perilous area for shipping.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The exact location of the BAY CITY was not precisely documented at the time of the incident, and its remains were reported as partially exposed on the East Sister Reef following the wreck in November 1859.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
CONCLUSION:
The story of the BAY CITY is a poignant reminder of the treacherous conditions faced by mariners on Lake Erie during the 19th century. The vessel’s tragic encounter with a fierce storm and subsequent stranding on the East Sister Reef is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes. While the crew survived, the BAY CITY itself was not as fortunate, becoming yet another casualty of the region’s maritime history. The schooner’s final resting place serves as a haunting symbol of the sacrifices made by those who navigated these waters, contributing to the enduring legacy of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
Keywords:
#BAYCITY #SchoonerWreck #LakeErie #GreatLakesShipwreck #EastSisterReef #19thCenturySailing #MaritimeHistory #ShipwreckTragedy #SanduskyOhio
