Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: B.W. Parker
- Type: Schooner Barge
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: R.W. Linn, Gibraltar, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 240.25 ft (73.2 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth: 19 ft (5.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near the west breakwater, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 3473
- Original Owners: H.W. Dyar of Detroit, A.A. Parker of Detroit, Pridgeon Navigation Company, J.C. Gilchrist, Gilchrist Transit Co. of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled schooner barge
Description
The B.W. Parker was a wooden schooner barge constructed in 1890 by R.W. Linn in Gibraltar, Michigan. Measuring 240.25 feet in length with a beam of 36 feet and a depth of 19 feet, she was designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Throughout her service, she was owned by various companies, including H.W. Dyar of Detroit, A.A. Parker of Detroit, Pridgeon Navigation Company, J.C. Gilchrist, and Gilchrist Transit Co. of Detroit. At the time of her loss, she was operating in the coal, ore, and grain trade. (OCLC, shotlinediving.com)
History
On November 13, 1905, the B.W. Parker was in tow of the propeller steamer LANSING, along with the schooner NELLIE MASON, navigating Lake Erie. While light (without cargo), the vessels encountered a severe gale. The B.W. Parker was overwhelmed by the storm and driven onto the west breakwater, where she was completely wrecked and sank. The barge was under the command of Captain J.S. Jones at the time of the incident. (OCLC)
Significant Incidents
- November 13, 1905: The B.W. Parker was driven onto the west breakwater during a gale, resulting in total loss.
Final Disposition
The B.W. Parker was declared a total loss following the incident on November 13, 1905. There is no record of salvage operations or attempts to recover the vessel. Her remains were likely left at the wreck site near the west breakwater of Lake Erie.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the B.W. Parker has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
Resources & Links
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The loss of the B.W. Parker underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the early 20th century, particularly those operating as schooner barges in tow of steamers. Her destruction near the west breakwater of Lake Erie adds to the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in the region, contributing to the rich maritime history of the area. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the B.W. Parker’s story is a testament to the perils of lake navigation during that era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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