Albion (1848)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Albion
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1848
• Builder: Doolittle and Mollison
• Dimensions: 115 ft (35 m); Beam 21 ft; Depth of hold 9 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 215 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 23 m / 75 ft
• Location: Approximately 12 miles north by east of Erie, Pennsylvania
• Coordinates: 42°16.372′ N 080°03.315′ W
• Number of Masts: Topmasts just below the surface

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The ALBION was a wooden schooner constructed in 1848 by Doolittle and Mollison in Oswego, New York. At 115 feet in length, with a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 9 feet, it had a tonnage of 215 tons. Schooners like the ALBION were crucial to the 19th-century cargo transport industry on the Great Lakes, regularly transporting wheat, coal, and other bulk materials.

Description

The ALBION was launched in 1848 and served for a decade, contributing significantly to the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes. Its operational history includes multiple grounding incidents that it survived:

• April 1849: Ran aground near Port Dalhousie, Lake Ontario, but refloated without major damage.
• June 23, 1854: Grounded at East Sister Island, Lake Erie; the vessel was saved.
• Late November 1855: Went ashore at Oak Orchard, New York, but recovered successfully.

Despite these challenges, the ALBION remained a reliable vessel until its ill-fated final voyage in October 1858. During a severe storm on Lake Erie, the schooner sank approximately 12 miles north by east of Erie, Pennsylvania. Tragically, all eight crew members perished. The wreck was discovered six days later on October 14, 1858, by fishermen who reported the schooner’s topmasts just below the surface, with its sails still set—a testament to the sudden and catastrophic nature of the event.

History

The ALBION rests in approximately 75 feet of water in Lake Erie. While largely intact, significant portions of the vessel, including the topmasts and sails, remain visible. The wreck stands as a somber memorial to the risks faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

• No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the ALBION wreck site. Mariners and divers are advised to exercise caution due to potential hazards posed by the submerged wreckage.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the ALBION was discovered by local fishermen on October 14, 1858, just days after the vessel sank. Historical newspapers from the era extensively reported on the discovery and the tragic loss of life.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The ALBION lies intact at a depth of 75 feet, making it accessible to experienced divers. The site provides a rare opportunity to explore a mid-19th-century schooner, with features such as its hull, topmasts, and sails still preserved. Divers should approach the site with caution due to the age and fragility of the wreck.

Resources & Links

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The ALBION is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. While its decade-long service was marked by resilience, the schooner’s tragic end underscores the volatility of these inland seas. Today, the wreck of the ALBION offers a window into the challenges of 19th-century navigation and shipbuilding, preserving its story for divers and maritime historians alike.