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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”b-w-parker-us-3473″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
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.
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.
- Name: B.W. Parker
- Former Names: None recorded
- Official Registry Number: 3473
- Date Built & Launched: 1890
- Builder: R.W. Linn, Gibraltar, Michigan
- Measurements: Length: 240.25 ft (73.2 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth: 19 ft (5.8 m); Gross Tonnage: Not documented
- Date Lost: November 13, 1905
- Location of Loss: Near the west breakwater, Lake Erie
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (no cargo)
- Final Disposition: Driven onto breakwater during gale; total loss
- Located By & Date Found: Not documented
- NOTMARs & Advisories: None currently issued(Alchem Inc., OCLC, shotlinediving.com, rare.us, lakeerienpijin.blogspot.com)
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)
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.
Located By & Date Found
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.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the B.W. Parker. Given the time elapsed and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – B.W. Parker
- Alchem Inc. – Lake Erie Shipwreck Map “P” and Index
- ArchiveGrid – B.W. Parker(OCLC)
Conclusion
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.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: B.W. Parker, Lake Erie shipwreck, 20th-century schooner barge, maritime history
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters of the 1900s, Schooner Barges
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner Barge: A type of vessel designed for cargo transport, typically towed by a steamer, and characterized by its schooner rigging.
- Breakwater: A structure built offshore to protect a coast or harbor from the force of waves.
- Total Loss: A term used when a vessel is damaged beyond repair.
Note: Due to the lack of precise location data and the time elapsed since the wreck, there is no shore dive information available for the B.W. Parker.
b-w-parker-us-3473 1905-11-13 01:52:00