Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: AGNES L. POTTER
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: Not specified; Beam: Not specified; Depth: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Off Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: L.P. Smith of Cleveland
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge
Description
The AGNES L. POTTER was a schooner-barge, a rigged cargo barge often towed by a steam vessel. Built in 1870, she was representative of the many wooden freight barges that formed the backbone of Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th century.
History
In the late summer of 1906, the AGNES L. POTTER was under tow by the steamer RHODA STEWART, along with the barge WILLIAM GRANDY. As the convoy encountered a strong storm off the coast of Cleveland, Ohio, both barges broke their tows. The AGNES L. POTTER drifted ashore during the storm.
After being grounded, the vessel later caught fire, compounding her destruction. The fire could have been caused by onboard equipment or spontaneous combustion, which was not uncommon in wooden vessels with residual flammable materials. The entire crew of five escaped in a small boat and made it safely to the Cleveland breakwater, surviving the ordeal.
The barge was owned by L.P. Smith of Cleveland at the time of loss.
Significant Incidents
- Loss occurred on August 28, 1906, due to a storm and subsequent fire.
- All five crew members survived the incident.
Final Disposition
The AGNES L. POTTER was declared a total loss due to storm damage and fire. There are no records of salvage or recovery.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – The wreck has not been located or confirmed in modern times.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”agnes-potter” title=”References & Links”]
The AGNES L. POTTER’s destruction near Cleveland serves as a classic case of the double jeopardy faced by Great Lakes vessels—natural storm hazards and the inherent flammability of wooden ship structures. Her story is another reminder of the vulnerabilities of barges in tow and the bravery of crews who often survived such disasters with limited means.
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.
AGNES L. POTTER (1870–1906)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: AGNES L. POTTER
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1870
- Measurements:
- Length: Not specified
- Beam: Not specified
- Depth: Not specified
- Gross Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: August 28, 1906
- Cause: Storm and subsequent fire
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Not reported
- Place of Loss: Off Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Loss of Life: None of 5 crew perished
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge
Description
The AGNES L. POTTER was a schooner-barge, a rigged cargo barge often towed by a steam vessel. Built in 1870, she was representative of the many wooden freight barges that formed the backbone of Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th century.
History
In the late summer of 1906, the AGNES L. POTTER was under tow by the steamer RHODA STEWART, along with the barge WILLIAM GRANDY. As the convoy encountered a strong storm off the coast of Cleveland, Ohio, both barges broke their tows. The AGNES L. POTTER drifted ashore during the storm.
After being grounded, the vessel later caught fire, compounding her destruction. The fire could have been caused by onboard equipment or spontaneous combustion, which was not uncommon in wooden vessels with residual flammable materials. The entire crew of five escaped in a small boat and made it safely to the Cleveland breakwater, surviving the ordeal.
The barge was owned by L.P. Smith of Cleveland at the time of loss.
Final Disposition
The AGNES L. POTTER was declared a total loss due to storm damage and fire. There are no records of salvage or recovery.
Located By & Date Found
Nil – The wreck has not been located or confirmed in modern times.
Notmars & Advisories
Nil – No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The AGNES L. POTTER’s destruction near Cleveland serves as a classic case of the double jeopardy faced by Great Lakes vessels—natural storm hazards and the inherent flammability of wooden ship structures. Her story is another reminder of the vulnerabilities of barges in tow and the bravery of crews who often survived such disasters with limited means.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: AGNES L. POTTER, Lake Erie shipwreck, schooner barge, 1906 storm, Rhoda Stewart tow, Cleveland shipwreck
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Wooden Barges, Fire Disasters
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner Barge: Sailing barge often towed by steamer, used for bulk cargo transport.
- Breakwater: Manmade structure protecting harbours from waves, often used for emergency docking.
- Tow Loss: The separation of a vessel from its towing partner, often due to storm or mechanical failure.