Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Charles W. Liken
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge or steam-powered work vessel
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: Not specified; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not recorded
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Charles W. Liken was a wooden-hulled work vessel, likely a schooner-barge or small steam freighter, operating during the transitional era when steam replaced sail. These vessels were typically used for towing or hauling coal, stone, or timber on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Charles W. Liken was a wooden-hulled work vessel, likely a schooner-barge or small steam freighter, operating during the transitional era when steam replaced sail. These vessels were typically used for towing or hauling coal, stone, or timber on the Great Lakes.
History
On August 13, 1905, the Charles W. Liken caught fire under unknown circumstances. The fire consumed the vessel to the waterline, resulting in a total loss.
Fortunately, all four crew members survived the incident. Details surrounding the cause of the fire, cargo (if any), or the vessel’s location at the time of the blaze remain unspecified in most reports.
Significant Incidents
- August 13, 1905: The Charles W. Liken caught fire, resulting in a total loss.
Final Disposition
Burned to the waterline and lost on Lake Erie. Not confirmed as a known dive site. The wreck is presumed to have been left in place or later salvaged/scrapped.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it has not been confirmed as a dive site. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods.
Resources & Links
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As you explore the waters of Lake Erie, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. The Charles W. Liken serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of preserving these underwater sites.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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