1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN was a wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used in the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes. Constructed in 1874 at the North Pole shipyard in Salzburg (Bay City), Michigan, by shipbuilder Hitchcock, the vessel was substantial in size, measuring 150 feet in length, with a beam of 30 feet and a depth of 10 feet. With a gross tonnage of 371 tons, it was well-suited for the transportation of large quantities of goods across the Great Lakes. The schooner-barge was owned by Ferris Bros. of Bay City, Michigan.
3. HISTORY #
The HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN had a short but active career on the Great Lakes, being launched in 1874 and serving primarily as a cargo vessel. The schooner-barge played a vital role in the transportation of goods between ports in the region. However, its operational life was abruptly cut short in November 1875 when a severe storm led to its tragic loss. While anchored off Cleveland, Ohio, awaiting the return of the towboat ELMIRA, a sudden gale broke the vessel’s anchor chains and drove it ashore, where it broke in two under the force of the storm.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
On November 30, 1875, the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN met its tragic end near Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel had been left at anchor while the towboat ELMIRA went in to coal. A sudden and powerful gale caused the anchor chains to break, resulting in the schooner-barge being driven ashore. The vessel was severely damaged, breaking in two and ultimately being destroyed. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident, as the vessel was not carrying any cargo at the time, which may have lessened the potential for loss of life.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the wreck of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN. The remains of the vessel were broken up beyond repair in April 1876, and its documentation was surrendered in November 1877.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The remains of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN were broken up and rendered unfit for further use by April 1876. The ship’s documents were formally surrendered at Port Huron, Michigan, on November 10, 1877, marking the end of its existence as a registered vessel.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreckage of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN was fully broken up and removed in 1876, making it no longer accessible for diving or exploration. The site of the wreck near Cleveland, Ohio, no longer contains any physical remnants of the vessel.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The loss of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN underscores the challenges and dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy late fall and early winter months. The successful lawsuit by the vessel’s owners against the towboat ELMIRA highlights the legal complexities that often followed maritime disasters during this period. The vessel’s short service life and sudden demise serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and often harsh conditions faced by those who sailed the Great Lakes.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
As the remains of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN were broken up and removed in 1876, there are no diving opportunities associated with this vessel. The site where the wreck occurred near Cleveland, Ohio, no longer holds any remnants of the schooner-barge.
TAGS #
- Lake Erie
- 19th Century
- Schooner-Barge
- Cleveland
- Maritime History
CONCLUSION #
The HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN, also known as H.A. CHAMBERLIN, was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes shipping industry during its brief operational life. Built in 1874 and lost in 1875, its story reflects both the importance of maritime transport in the region and the ever-present risks posed by the unpredictable weather conditions on the Great Lakes. While the vessel was ultimately destroyed by a powerful storm, its legacy lives on as part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie.
