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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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