IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: Steamer CLARION

•Coordinates: 41°57.26’ N, 82°16.30’ W

•Location: Off Southeast Shoal, Lake Erie

•Depth: Not explicitly stated; presumed shallow due to proximity to shoals

•Wreck Type: Steel freighter

•Tonnage: 1,700 tons

•Built: 1881

•Final Voyage: December 8, 1909

•Condition: Burned to the water’s edge and sank

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CLARION was a steel-hulled freighter, a staple of late 19th and early 20th-century Great Lakes commerce. Designed for durability and capacity, vessels like the CLARION transported essential bulk goods, including coal, iron ore, and grain. At 1,700 tons, it was a sizable ship, built to endure the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The CLARION was launched in 1881 and spent nearly three decades serving the vital trade routes of the Great Lakes. It transported a variety of goods that fueled the industrial boom of the region. In late 1909, the vessel was en route to lay up in Erie, Pennsylvania, likely for maintenance during the winter off-season.

On December 8, 1909, the CLARION encountered one of the most severe midwinter storms in Great Lakes history while traveling from Detroit to Erie. Captain E. J. Bell and his crew faced extreme conditions, including massive waves, freezing temperatures, and fog. During the storm, a catastrophic fire broke out onboard. The crew’s efforts to control the blaze proved futile as the fire quickly consumed the vessel. The CLARION burned to the waterline before finally sinking near Southeast Shoal.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CLARION was declared a Total Loss after burning to the waterline and sinking during the storm. The wreck likely rests scattered across the lakebed near Southeast Shoal in Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with this wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE

Details about when or by whom the wreck was located are unavailable.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the CLARION is presumed to be in a deteriorated state due to its age and the severe conditions during its sinking. The remains are likely scattered and heavily corroded. Given the challenges posed by shoals and the potential depth, diving on the wreck would require advanced skills and careful planning.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Historical Society

•NOAA’s Shipwreck Database

•Archival materials, including Google Books on Great Lakes shipwrecks

TAGS

•#GreatLakes

•#Shipwrecks

•#LakeErie

•#MaritimeHistory

•#WinterStorms

•#SteelFreighter

•#HistoricalShipwreck

CONCLUSION

The loss of the CLARION is a testament to the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during winter storms. The tragic incident highlights the bravery of those who navigated these waters and the unpredictability of nature’s wrath. The CLARION’s story remains a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, symbolizing the resilience and sacrifices of the era. Further exploration of the wreck could provide insights into the ship’s final moments and the challenges of early 20th-century navigation.