IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Young Lion was a wooden schooner built in 1827 in Buffalo, New York, with an estimated tonnage of 50 tons. The vessel was designed for the Canada Lumber trade, initially owned by Norton & Bliss and commanded by Captain Burnett. It was a modest-sized schooner, typical of those used for trading along the Great Lakes, with a length of 96 feet. The schooner was sturdy enough to handle a variety of cargoes, including flour and railroad iron, which it was carrying at the time of its sinking.
HISTORY #
The Young Lion had an eventful career on the Great Lakes. Shortly after its launch, the schooner was involved in several incidents, including running ashore at Otter Creek in 1828 and grounding at Portland, New York, in 1829. Despite these setbacks, the vessel continued to operate, even arriving in Cleveland in 1833 with torn sails due to a storm.
On July 6, 1836, the Young Lion met its tragic end during a violent storm on Lake Erie. Owned by Smith, Macy & Russell of Buffalo at the time, the schooner was en route to Maumee with a cargo of railroad iron. The vessel began taking on water rapidly, and despite the crew’s efforts, it sank within half an hour. Of the eight people aboard, three, including the mate, were presumed drowned, while the remaining five clung to the mast until being rescued by the Schooner New York the following morning.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
In 1844, Captain D. Chapin of New York discovered the wreck of the Young Lion off the mouth of Walnut Creek, Lake Erie. Using his compass invention, Captain Chapin identified the wreck and marked its location with buoys, intending to raise the ship when conditions allowed. Despite the discovery, there is no confirmed record of the wreck being raised or salvaged, leaving its current condition largely unknown.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck was discovered by Captain D. Chapin in 1844. Buoys were placed on the wreck to mark its location, but further recovery efforts were not documented.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The exact condition of the Young Lion remains uncertain, given the lack of detailed exploration or recovery efforts following its initial discovery in 1844. The wreck is believed to be largely intact, still carrying its cargo of railroad iron. The site may be of interest to historians and advanced divers, though specific details on depth and accessibility are not well-documented.
EXTERNAL LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships
- The Scuba News
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Wrecks and Reefs
- Advanced Diver Magazine
CONCLUSION #
The sinking of the Young Lion in 1836 is a stark reminder of the perils faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite being discovered in 1844, the wreck remains largely a mystery, with its condition and exact location still not fully explored. The story of the Young Lion, from its launch in 1827 to its tragic sinking and subsequent discovery, contributes a significant chapter to the maritime history of Lake Erie.
TAGS #
- Tags: #GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #Schooner #YoungLion #DivingSites #HistoricalShipwreck #WoodenSchooner #UnderwaterExploration
