Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: H.G. Cleveland

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Built: 1867 by W. A. Jones, Black River, Ohio

• Specifications:

• Length: 137 feet (41.8 meters)

• Breadth: 26 feet (7.9 meters)

• Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 264 tons

• Net Tonnage: 251 tons

• Owner: Frank Jennings, Cleveland, Ohio

• Final Voyage: August 13, 1899, Lake Erie

Vessel Type Description

The H.G. Cleveland was a wooden three-masted Schooner built in 1867, designed for heavy cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Crafted for durability, the vessel carried significant tonnage and was specifically built to transport materials such as limestone, a common cargo on Lake Erie. Schooners like the H.G. Cleveland were essential to the economic vitality of the region, connecting industrial areas and transporting building materials essential for growth.

History

The H.G. Cleveland was constructed by W. A. Jones in Black River, Ohio, in 1867. Throughout her service, the vessel weathered the demands of Great Lakes shipping, ferrying limestone across Lake Erie under the ownership of Frank Jennings of Cleveland, Ohio. Known for her reliability, the H.G. Cleveland became a familiar sight along the lake, symbolizing the hard work and dedication of the mariners who operated her.

On August 13, 1899, however, the H.G. Cleveland encountered a sudden and catastrophic Hull failure while sailing between Kelley’s Island and the entrance to Cleveland Harbor, fully loaded with limestone. The Steamer CITY OF Detroit discovered the Schooner in distress, and swift action was taken. A lifeboat was left with the vessel, and the Tug MAYTHAM arrived to attempt a rescue. Despite these efforts, the Schooner continued to take on water and eventually sank in 60 feet (18 meters) of water off Rocky River, Ohio.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the H.G. Cleveland posed a navigational hazard, leading to efforts by Captain C. E. Dahlke of Cleveland to remove it. Contracted by the government, Dahlke undertook the responsibility of clearing the wreck from Lake Erie, ultimately removing the vessel from the surface and reducing its threat to other mariners.

Located By & Date

• Location: Off Rocky River, Ohio, Lake Erie

• Depth: 60 feet (18 meters)

• Date of Sinking: August 13, 1899

Notmar & Advisories

After the sinking, the wreck was cleared from the lake to prevent Navigation Hazards, with no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the site.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation: Historical records and details on schooners and shipwrecks in Lake Erie

• Ohio Historical Society: Archives on Lake Erie shipwrecks and local maritime history

Conclusion

The story of the H.G. Cleveland serves as a poignant reminder of the perils that schooners and their crews faced on the Great Lakes. From her dependable service transporting limestone to her tragic end near Cleveland Harbor, the H.G. Cleveland’s history reflects the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the harsh realities of lake navigation. Her legacy endures as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the elements and the determination of those who braved them.

Keywords: H.G. Cleveland, Schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, Rocky River, Cleveland shipwreck