Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Benjamin Barton
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1835
- Builder: Mount Clemens, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 87 ft (26.5 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 178 tons (old measurement)
- Location: Just east of the pier at Conneaut, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Morse & Co., Detroit
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Benjamin Barton was a wooden-hulled schooner, a prevalent vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were favored for their cargo capacity and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting goods such as merchandise, lumber, and grain across the lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1835 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, the Benjamin Barton measured 87 feet (26.5 meters) in length, with a beam of 24 feet (7.3 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). She had a tonnage of 178 tons (old measurement). The vessel was owned by Morse & Co. of Detroit and was primarily engaged in the transportation of merchandise across the Great Lakes.
History
On November 5, 1838, while en route to Chicago with a full cargo of merchandise, the Benjamin Barton encountered a severe gale on Lake Erie. The storm drove the vessel ashore just east of the pier at Conneaut, Ohio. Initially reported as a total loss, the schooner was later released and underwent repairs the following spring. She continued in service until at least 1844, demonstrating the resilience and determination of maritime operations during that era.
Significant Incidents
- November 5, 1838: The Benjamin Barton was blown ashore and wrecked by a gale while en route to Chicago.
Final Disposition
Despite the significant damage sustained during the 1838 gale, the Benjamin Barton was successfully repaired and returned to service. Records indicate that she remained active until at least 1844. There is no available information regarding her ultimate fate or whether she was eventually decommissioned, lost, or dismantled.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Benjamin Barton has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”benjamin-barton-1835″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Benjamin Barton‘s experience underscores the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite being driven ashore and initially deemed a total loss, the vessel’s subsequent repair and return to service highlight the resilience of maritime operations during that period. Her story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.
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
- Name: Benjamin Barton
- Former Names: Also recorded as Ben. Barton
- Official Registration Number: Not available
- Date Built & Launched: 1835
- Builder: Mount Clemens, Michigan
- Construction: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Dimensions: Length: 87 ft (26.5 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Tonnage: 178 tons (old measurement)
- Date Lost: November 5, 1838
- Location of Loss: Just east of the pier at Conneaut, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Merchandise bound for Chicago
- Cause of Loss: Blown ashore and wrecked by a gale
- Crew: Not specified
- Final Disposition: Initially reported as a total loss; released and repaired the following spring
- Owner at Time of Loss: Morse & Co., Detroit
- Sources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Alchem Inc., History of the Great Lakes
Vessel Type
The Benjamin Barton was a wooden-hulled schooner, a prevalent vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were favored for their cargo capacity and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting goods such as merchandise, lumber, and grain across the lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1835 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, the Benjamin Barton measured 87 feet (26.5 meters) in length, with a beam of 24 feet (7.3 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). She had a tonnage of 178 tons (old measurement). The vessel was owned by Morse & Co. of Detroit and was primarily engaged in the transportation of merchandise across the Great Lakes.
History
On November 5, 1838, while en route to Chicago with a full cargo of merchandise, the Benjamin Barton encountered a severe gale on Lake Erie. The storm drove the vessel ashore just east of the pier at Conneaut, Ohio. Initially reported as a total loss, the schooner was later released and underwent repairs the following spring. She continued in service until at least 1844, demonstrating the resilience and determination of maritime operations during that era.
Final Disposition
Despite the significant damage sustained during the 1838 gale, the Benjamin Barton was successfully repaired and returned to service. Records indicate that she remained active until at least 1844. There is no available information regarding her ultimate fate or whether she was eventually decommissioned, lost, or dismantled.
Located By & Date Found
There is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Benjamin Barton has been located or surveyed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Benjamin Barton. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Conneaut, Ohio, should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Benjamin Barton
- Alchem Inc. – Erie-Ashtabula Shipwrecks
- History of the Great Lakes – Wisconsin Genealogy Resources
Conclusion
The Benjamin Barton‘s experience underscores the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite being driven ashore and initially deemed a total loss, the vessel’s subsequent repair and return to service highlight the resilience of maritime operations during that period. Her story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: Benjamin Barton, schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, 1838 gale, maritime history
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners, Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
- Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds between 34 and 40 knots (39–46 mph or 63–74 km/h).
- Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond repair or recovery.
Shore Dive Information
Given that the Benjamin Barton‘s wreck has not been located and is presumed to have deteriorated over time, there is no shore dive information available for this site.
benjamin-barton-1835 1838-11-05 15:16:00