Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ANNIE SHERWOOD
- Type: Barkentine (later rerigged as a schooner)
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Bailey Brothers
- Dimensions: Length: 184.25 ft (56.15 m); Beam: 33.66 ft (10.26 m); Depth of hold: 13.5 ft (4.11 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 622.47 gross, 591.35 net
- Location: 3 miles above Otter Head, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 310
- Original Owners: Albert Sherwood and John A. Vought; later owned by the Anchor Line of Erie, PA
- Number of Masts: Three (originally a barkentine, later rerigged as schooner in 1869)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Barkentine (later rerigged as a schooner)
Description
The Annie Sherwood was a wooden-hulled barkentine, later converted to a schooner, designed for cargo transportation, particularly in the grain and lumber trade. Built by the Bailey Brothers in Fairport, Ohio, she served for nearly three decades, frequently running routes across the Great Lakes. Her capacity ranged up to 43,000 bushels, and she operated primarily out of Buffalo, NY.
History
Launched in 1866 for owners Albert Sherwood and John A. Vought, Annie Sherwood endured a lengthy and active career. In 1869, she was rerigged as a schooner and by the early 1870s was owned by the Anchor Line of Erie, PA. Her service included the grain trade between Chicago and Buffalo and the lumber trade from Saginaw, Michigan. She often sailed in tow of larger steamers, including the Robert Holland and White & Friant.
Her operational history includes numerous groundings and mishaps, such as running aground on Spectacle Reef and Colchester Reef in Lake Erie, grounding at Washburn, WI (resulting in one death), and being dismasted twice—once in Lake Erie and again near Eagle River on Lake Superior. She was offered for sale in 1887 but continued in use through the early 1890s.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Spectacle Reef and Colchester Reef in Lake Erie.
- Grounded at Washburn, WI, resulting in one death.
- Dismasted twice, once in Lake Erie and again near Eagle River on Lake Superior.
Final Disposition
On October 14, 1893, while carrying lumber to Chicago, the Annie Sherwood broke loose from her tow steamer White & Friant during a storm and drifted uncontrolled. The crew abandoned her 30 miles off Whitefish Point and were rescued by the steamer Sitka near Caribou Island. The ship went ashore 3 miles above Otter Head on Lake Superior. Two lives were lost in the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return – No confirmed modern location or dive documentation publicly available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”annie-sherwood-us-310″ title=”References & Links”]
The Annie Sherwood‘s long service and numerous incidents reflect the rugged nature of Great Lakes commerce in the 19th century. Despite repeated damage and mishap, she was continually rebuilt and returned to service, a testament to both her builders and the economic importance of lake freighters in that era.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ANNIE SHERWOOD
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 310
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1866, launched August 15, 1866
- Build Location: Fairport, Ohio
- Measurements:
- Length: 184.25 ft (56.15 m)
- Beam: 33.66 ft (10.26 m)
- Depth: 13.5 ft (4.11 m)
- Tonnage: 622.47 gross, 591.35 net
- Capacity: 35,000–43,000 bushels
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: One
- Masts: Three (originally a barkentine, later rerigged as schooner in 1869)
- Date Lost: October 14, 1893
- Place Lost: 3 miles above Otter Head, Lake Superior
- Final Cargo: Lumber
Vessel Type
Barkentine (later rerigged as a schooner)
Description
The Annie Sherwood was a wooden-hulled barkentine, later converted to a schooner, designed for cargo transportation, particularly in the grain and lumber trade. Built by the Bailey Brothers in Fairport, Ohio, she served for nearly three decades, frequently running routes across the Great Lakes. Her capacity ranged up to 43,000 bushels, and she operated primarily out of Buffalo, NY.
History
Launched in 1866 for owners Albert Sherwood and John A. Vought, Annie Sherwood endured a lengthy and active career. In 1869, she was rerigged as a schooner and by the early 1870s was owned by the Anchor Line of Erie, PA. Her service included the grain trade between Chicago and Buffalo and the lumber trade from Saginaw, Michigan. She often sailed in tow of larger steamers, including the Robert Holland and White & Friant.
Her operational history includes numerous groundings and mishaps, such as running aground on Spectacle Reef and Colchester Reef in Lake Erie, grounding at Washburn, WI (resulting in one death), and being dismasted twice—once in Lake Erie and again near Eagle River on Lake Superior. She was offered for sale in 1887 but continued in use through the early 1890s.
Final Disposition
On October 14, 1893, while carrying lumber to Chicago, the Annie Sherwood broke loose from her tow steamer White & Friant during a storm and drifted uncontrolled. The crew abandoned her 30 miles off Whitefish Point and were rescued by the steamer Sitka near Caribou Island. The ship went ashore 3 miles above Otter Head on Lake Superior. Two lives were lost in the incident.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return – No confirmed modern location or dive documentation publicly available.
Notmars & Advisories
Nil return – Not currently charted as a navigational hazard or active advisory zone.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Historical Society: https://www.greatlakeships.org
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Vessels: https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Conclusion
The Annie Sherwood‘s long service and numerous incidents reflect the rugged nature of Great Lakes commerce in the 19th century. Despite repeated damage and mishap, she was continually rebuilt and returned to service, a testament to both her builders and the economic importance of lake freighters in that era.
Suggested Keywords and Categories
- Keywords: Annie Sherwood, barkentine, schooner, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Lake Superior, Otter Head, lumber schooner, 19th century freighter
- Categories: Great Lakes – Lake Superior, Barkentine/Schooner Conversions, Tow-Dependent Vessels, Storm Losses
- Glossary Terms: Barkentine, Schooner, Rerigging, Towed Vessel, Lumber Trade, Grounding, Whitefish Point, Caribou Island