Construction and Early Service
The William Case, originally known as the Wm. Case, was a wooden three-masted schooner-barge built in 1855 by Roderick Calkins in Cleveland, Ohio. Measuring 137 feet in length, with a beam of 27 feet and a depth of 11 feet, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 267 tons and a net tonnage of 254 tons. The William Case was primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes, contributing to the vibrant maritime trade that was crucial to the economy of the region.
The vessel’s robust design allowed it to carry significant loads of goods, particularly coal, which was a vital resource during the industrialization of the United States and Canada. Over the years, the William Case changed ownership several times, reflecting the fluid nature of the maritime industry during this period.
Incidents and Ownership Changes
In 1901, the William Case was temporarily sold to Canadian ownership, reflecting the close commercial ties between the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes region. However, the vessel was re-enrolled as an American ship later that same year, continuing its operations under various owners, including its final owner, the Black Diamond Transportation Company of Detroit, Michigan.
Despite its long service, the William Case encountered several challenges typical of vessels operating on the Great Lakes. These included the ever-present danger of storms, which frequently led to maritime disasters.
Final Voyage and Sinking
On July 26, 1906, the William Case set out from Cleveland, Ohio, bound for Bay City, Michigan, with a cargo of 575 tons of soft coal. As the vessel sailed across Lake Erie, it was caught in a severe storm. The powerful winds and waves battered the schooner-barge, causing its seams to open and water to flood into the hold.
Despite the crew’s best efforts to keep the vessel afloat, the situation quickly deteriorated. The William Case, which was being towed by the steamer Saginaw at the time, was no match for the ferocity of the storm. The Saginaw’s crew worked tirelessly to save the six crew members aboard the William Case, successfully transferring them to safety before the schooner-barge foundered.
The exact location of the sinking was approximately five miles northeast by north of Colchester Shoal Light in Lake Erie. The William Case sank in 25 feet of water, becoming a permanent fixture on the lakebed.
Legacy and Remembrance
The sinking of the William Case is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite the vessel’s sturdy construction and the skill of its crew, the forces of nature ultimately proved too powerful to overcome. The successful rescue of the crew by the Saginaw is a testament to the bravery and quick thinking that characterized the maritime community of the time.
The William Case now rests at the bottom of Lake Erie, a silent witness to the perils that have claimed many vessels in the region. Its story, like those of many other ships lost to the Great Lakes, serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who made their living on these inland seas.
Resources & Links
Keywords
William Case, Wm. Case, British Schooner Wm. Case, schooner-barge, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Erie, Colchester Shoal Light, Cleveland Ohio, maritime history, vessel loss, storm wreck, shipwreck remembrance.
Ongoing Research & Monitoring
Further research into the William Case may uncover additional details about its construction, service history, and the specific circumstances of its final voyage. Continuous monitoring of maritime history archives and shipwreck databases will ensure that any new information about the William Case is integrated into its historical narrative.
