IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The E.S. CATLIN was a schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk goods such as lumber. Unlike traditional schooners, schooner-barges were often towed by steam-powered tugs, allowing them to carry large quantities of cargo over long distances without relying on wind power alone. The E.S. CATLIN, with her robust dimensions and substantial tonnage, was well-suited to this role, serving as a key link in the lumber trade that was crucial to the economy of the Great Lakes region.
HISTORY
The E.S. CATLIN was constructed in 1869 in Bangor, Michigan, by the shipbuilder William Crosthwaite, who also owned the vessel. The barge was primarily used for transporting lumber, a critical commodity in the rapidly developing cities and towns around the Great Lakes. Her sturdy design allowed her to carry large loads across the often turbulent waters of Lake Erie and beyond.
Despite her solid construction, the E.S. CATLIN experienced several incidents throughout her service life. In May 1876, just months before her final voyage, she sank in the Saginaw River near Bay City, Michigan. The circumstances of this sinking are not fully detailed in available records, but the barge was evidently salvaged and returned to service.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The E.S. CATLIN met her end during a storm on Lake Erie on October 5, 1876. She was part of a tow led by the tug BALIZE, which was transporting a lumber cargo from Bay City to Buffalo. As the storm intensified, the tug sought shelter in Vermilion Harbor, but the CATLIN was let go and eventually stranded.
The situation deteriorated further when another storm struck the area on October 17, causing the CATLIN to break up. The remains of the barge were scattered along the shoreline approximately 5 miles east of Ashtabula, Ohio. Despite the severity of the storms and the loss of the vessel, there were no reported casualties among the crew, which was a small consolation to the owner, William Crosthwaite.
The E.S. CATLIN’s official number was 36325, a registration that marked her as a significant vessel in the shipping industry of the time. Her loss was a reminder of the perils faced by those who navigated the Great Lakes, particularly during the treacherous fall storm season.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the E.S. CATLIN. The wreckage was scattered along the shore, and over time, it is likely that the remains of the vessel were either buried by sand and silt or salvaged, leaving little trace today.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the E.S. CATLIN was known to be scattered along the shore about 5 miles east of Ashtabula, Ohio, following the storms of October 1876. However, specific details about the exact locations of the wreckage or any potential modern rediscovery efforts are not readily available.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Historical Newspapers Archive – Search for contemporary reports on the E.S. CATLIN’s loss and other maritime incidents.
- Wreck Site Database – For additional details on the E.S. CATLIN and other Great Lakes shipwrecks.
CONCLUSION
The story of the schooner-barge E.S. CATLIN is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Built to serve the lumber trade, the CATLIN was a workhorse of her time, navigating the lakes to meet the demands of a growing nation. Her loss during the storm of October 1876 underscores the unpredictable and often hazardous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Though the CATLIN is now gone, her story lives on as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who sailed these waters in pursuit of their livelihood.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Schooner-Barge, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Lumber Trade, Bangor Michigan, Buffalo NY, Ashtabula Ohio, William Crosthwaite, Shipwreck Resilience
