Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C.B. Lockwood
- Type: Steam Screw Freighter
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 285.2 ft (86.9 m); Beam: 45 ft (13.7 m); Depth of hold: 21.9 ft (6.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 2323 tons
- Location: Lake Erie, approximately 15 miles off Ashtabula, Ohio
- Original Owners: Gilchrist family of Cleveland, Ohio
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The C.B. Lockwood was a wooden steam-powered freighter built for the Great Lakes bulk cargo trade. Measuring 285.2 feet (86.9 meters) in length, 45 feet (13.7 meters) in beam, and 21.9 feet (6.7 meters) in depth, it was powered by a 900-indicated horsepower steam engine. With a gross tonnage of 2323 tons, the freighter was capable of carrying significant cargo loads, primarily transporting goods such as grain, coal, or iron ore.
Description
The C.B. Lockwood was owned by the Gilchrist family of Cleveland, Ohio, a prominent operator in Great Lakes shipping. On October 13, 1902, the vessel was en route to Buffalo, New York, when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie.
As the storm intensified, the freighter began to leak and started settling in the water shortly before nightfall. Despite efforts to save the vessel, it sank rapidly. The 19 people aboard, including the captain, Cassius French, faced dire circumstances as they abandoned ship.
History
The freighter sank shortly after abandonment. The yawl was found capsized about a mile from shore and half a mile west of Ashtabula pier. No bodies or survivors were recovered, and it is presumed that all aboard the yawl perished. The fate of the lifeboat and its occupants remains unknown.
The incident resulted in the presumed loss of all 19 individuals aboard the C.B. Lockwood.
Significant Incidents
- Abandonment Efforts:
- Yawl Boat: Carried Captain French, his wife, one woman passenger, and six crew members.
- Lifeboat: Carried the first mate and nine crew members.
Final Disposition
The sinking of the C.B. Lockwood remains a poignant reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the volatile autumn storm season. The incident underscores the unpredictability of weather conditions and the risks inherent in early 20th-century maritime navigation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No current Notice to Mariners (NOTMARs) is related to the wreck of the C.B. Lockwood. However, the tragedy serves as a historical marker of the dangers present in Lake Erie’s waters during severe weather.
The exact wreck location has not been documented, though it is believed to rest approximately 15 miles off Ashtabula, Ohio.
Resources & Links
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The loss of the C.B. Lockwood reflects the harsh realities of maritime transportation during the early 20th century, where even large, robust freighters succumbed to the power of Great Lakes storms. The tragedy, marked by the disappearance of its 19 crew members, is a somber chapter in the region’s maritime history, underscoring the importance of continued respect for the unpredictable nature of the lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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