Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Abyssinia
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder: James Davidson & Co.
- Dimensions: 288.6 ft (88 m); Beam 44.6 ft; Depth of hold 19.1 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 2037 gross, 1916 net
- Location: Tecumseh Reef, near Buffalo, New York
- Coordinates: 42.821667, -79.715
- Official Number: US 107221
- Original Owners: Hutchinson & Co.
- Number of Masts: 4
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Abyssinia was a schooner-barge, a hybrid vessel designed to transport large cargoes with the versatility of sails and the utility of a barge. Equipped with four masts and two decks, the wooden vessel could navigate independently or be towed by a steamer, making it an essential part of Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Description
The Abyssinia was built in 1896 by James Davidson & Co. in West Bay City, Michigan. It was a substantial vessel with dimensions of 288.6 feet in length, a beam of 44.6 feet, and a depth of 19.1 feet, with a gross tonnage of 2037 and a net tonnage of 1916. These specifications highlight its capacity for carrying large bulk cargoes such as grain and other commodities.
History
Throughout its operational life, the Abyssinia was involved in various towing operations. Notable incidents included damage during a storm in 1900 and tows by the City of Glasgow (1901) and E.M. Peck (1912). Despite challenges, the vessel remained active until its final voyage.
On October 18, 1917, while carrying a cargo of wheat, the Abyssinia struck Tecumseh Reef, a submerged hazard 3 miles west of Buffalo, New York, in Lake Erie. All eight crew members survived, but the vessel was declared a total loss and abandoned.
The wreck was rediscovered in 1962, providing insights into early 20th-century maritime commerce and vessel construction.
Significant Incidents
- Damage during a storm in 1900.
- Towed by the City of Glasgow in 1901.
- Towed by the E.M. Peck in 1912.
- Struck Tecumseh Reef on October 18, 1917, leading to total loss.
Final Disposition
The Abyssinia was abandoned on October 18, 1917, after running aground on Tecumseh Reef. The wreck remains a historical site at the specified coordinates.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Notices: Mariners should exercise caution when navigating near Tecumseh Reef and the wreck site. The shoal remains a hazard in the area.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”abyssinia-us-107221″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the Abyssinia on October 18, 1917, is a testament to the challenges faced by schooner-barges navigating the Great Lakes. Its role in transporting bulk cargo highlights the vital contribution of vessels like the Abyssinia to regional commerce. Though declared a total loss after striking Tecumseh Reef, the discovery of its wreck in 1962 provides a valuable window into the maritime history of Lake Erie and the broader Great Lakes region.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Ship Name: Abyssinia
- Coordinates: 42.821667, -79.715
- Cargo: Wheat
- Human Loss: None
- Year Built: 1896
- Year of Wreck: 1917
- Owner: Hutchinson & Co.
- Cause of Wreck: Struck Shoal
- Vessel Type: Schooner-Barge
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Abyssinia was a schooner-barge, a hybrid vessel designed to transport large cargoes with the versatility of sails and the utility of a barge. Equipped with four masts and two decks, the wooden vessel could navigate independently or be towed by a steamer, making it an essential part of Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
HISTORY
The Abyssinia was built in 1896 by James Davidson & Co. in West Bay City, Michigan. It was a substantial vessel with dimensions of 288.6 feet in length, a beam of 44.6 feet, and a depth of 19.1 feet, with a gross tonnage of 2037 and a net tonnage of 1916. These specifications highlight its capacity for carrying large bulk cargoes such as grain and other commodities.
Throughout its operational life, the Abyssinia was involved in various towing operations. Notable incidents included damage during a storm in 1900 and tows by the City of Glasgow (1901) and E.M. Peck (1912). Despite challenges, the vessel remained active until its final voyage.
On October 18, 1917, while carrying a cargo of wheat, the Abyssinia struck Tecumseh Reef, a submerged hazard 3 miles west of Buffalo, New York, in Lake Erie. All eight crew members survived, but the vessel was declared a total loss and abandoned.
The wreck was rediscovered in 1962, providing insights into early 20th-century maritime commerce and vessel construction.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The Abyssinia was abandoned on October 18, 1917, after running aground on Tecumseh Reef. The wreck remains a historical site at the specified coordinates.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
Current Notices: Mariners should exercise caution when navigating near Tecumseh Reef and the wreck site. The shoal remains a hazard in the area.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the Abyssinia was discovered in 1962.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University
- Erie Wrecks – East (book)
- US Markers and historical archives
KEYWORDS Abyssinia Schooner-Barge Shipwreck Lake Erie Tecumseh Reef Great Lakes Maritime History Wheat Cargo
CONCLUSION
The loss of the Abyssinia on October 18, 1917, is a testament to the challenges faced by schooner-barges navigating the Great Lakes. Its role in transporting bulk cargo highlights the vital contribution of vessels like the Abyssinia to regional commerce. Though declared a total loss after striking Tecumseh Reef, the discovery of its wreck in 1962 provides a valuable window into the maritime history of Lake Erie and the broader Great Lakes region.
unknown-shipwreck-18109 1917-10-18 07:52:00