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.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Type: Scow-Schooner (Two-masted)
• Build Year: 1873
• Builder: John Glover, Port Rowan, Ontario
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 113 ft (34.4 m)
  • Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m)
  • Depth of Hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Tonnage: Gross 172 tons
• Owner: Austin Steers, Port Rowan, Ontario
• Final Incident: Ran aground during a storm on Lake Erie near Clear Creek on July 11, 1888
• Crew: Rescued; no lives lost
• Name: Bay Trader
• Type: Scow-Schooner
• Construction: Wooden hull
• Operational Region: Lake Erie
• Final Location: Clear Creek, Canadian side of Lake Erie, beneath a 40-foot cliff

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Bay Trader was a two-masted wooden scow-schooner, a type of vessel widely used during the 19th century for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. Designed for practicality and versatility, the Bay Trader was well-suited for hauling bulk materials like wood, grain, or other commodities essential to regional trade.

HISTORY

Early Years:

• Built in 1873 by John Glover in Port Rowan, Ontario, the Bay Trader served as a workhorse of Lake Erie’s maritime trade.
• Owned by Austin Steers, it primarily transported wood and other goods across the lake.

Fateful Voyage:

On July 11, 1888, the Bay Trader set out from Port Rowan, Ontario, bound for Buffalo, New York, carrying a load of wood. The tranquil waters of Lake Erie soon gave way to a fierce storm, which drove the vessel off course.

• Incident: The Bay Trader ran aground at Clear Creek, on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. The schooner was stranded beneath a 40-foot cliff, rendering it inaccessible from the shore.
• Rescue: The Canadian Lifesavers performed a daring rescue, throwing a line from the cliff above and saving all crew members. The rescue was remarkable for its speed and bravery, ensuring that no lives were lost.

Aftermath:

The Bay Trader was declared a total loss at the time of the incident. However, records suggest that the vessel may have been salvaged in part:

•An 1890 insurance list describes the Bay Trader as a “wrecking lighter” in need of repairs, indicating that the hull or other components might have been salvaged and repurposed for new uses.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Bay Trader ran aground and was deemed a total loss. It is unclear to what extent the vessel was salvaged or if remnants still exist at the site near Clear Creek.

NOTICES TO MARINERS (NOTMARs)

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of the Bay Trader. However, the location near Clear Creek may be of interest to divers and maritime historians.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The exact wreck site of the Bay Trader has not been formally documented. However, historical records indicate its location near Clear Creek, beneath a 40-foot cliff.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Condition: Unknown. If the vessel was salvaged or repurposed as a wrecking lighter, significant portions of the wreck may no longer exist.
• Accessibility: The presumed wreck site would be of interest for historical or archaeological exploration, though further confirmation is needed regarding the presence of remains.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

ANALYSIS

The Bay Trader exemplifies the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners on the volatile waters of Lake Erie. While not a grand vessel, its story highlights the integral role of small schooners in regional trade and the ever-present risks of navigating the Great Lakes. The incident also underscores the bravery and effectiveness of the Canadian Lifesavers, who played a critical role in the safe recovery of the crew.

KEYWORDS

Bay Trader, Lake Erie, Scow-Schooner, Shipwreck, Canadian Lifesavers, 19th Century Maritime History, Great Lakes

 

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