IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Agnes Barton was a wooden schooner, a popular type of sailing vessel used extensively on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Schooners like the Agnes Barton were valued for their speed and their ability to handle the varying and often challenging conditions of the Great Lakes. This two-masted schooner was designed for durability and efficiency, enabling it to carry significant cargo loads. The Agnes Barton was typical of the utilitarian vessels of its era, serving as a vital component in the transportation network across the inland seas.
HISTORY #
The Agnes Barton was constructed in 1835 in Buffalo, New York. Originally 73 feet in length with a tonnage of 110 tons, the vessel underwent a significant rebuild in 1842 that extended its length to 92 feet and increased its tonnage to 155 tons. Over the course of its operational life, the schooner served various owners and was primarily used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
By the 1850s, the Agnes Barton had become an older vessel, nearing the end of its useful life. It was involved in typical Great Lakes trade, carrying cargoes like coal, which it was transporting on its final voyage. The frequent changes in ownership reflect the economic dynamics of maritime commerce during this period, with vessels often changing hands as they aged or as market conditions shifted.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
On August 8, 1855, the Agnes Barton encountered a severe storm while en route from Cleveland to Buffalo, carrying a load of coal. The vessel’s aged structure could not withstand the storm’s forces, and it began taking on water rapidly. Despite efforts to save the schooner, it foundered and sank in about 30 feet of water, approximately 1.5 miles offshore and 1.5 miles from Conneaut Light. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the incident, but the vessel was considered a total loss.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
- Located by: Specific details on the discovery of the wreck are not documented.
- Date of Discovery: Unknown
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are currently no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the wreck site of the Agnes Barton. The site is not considered a navigational hazard today, given its depth and distance from major shipping lanes.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Maritime Collection
- Great Lakes Ships Database
CONCLUSION #
The Agnes Barton is representative of the many schooners that operated on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These vessels played a critical role in the economic development of the region, enabling the efficient movement of goods across vast inland waterways. The sinking of the Agnes Barton highlights the challenges and dangers faced by mariners, particularly as vessels aged and became more susceptible to the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Today, the story of the Agnes Barton serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of maritime commerce during this era.
Agnes Barton schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, maritime commerce, Conneaut Ohio, Erie Pennsylvania, shipwreck preservation.
