Civil War Wreck

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Civil War Wreck Schooner (unidentified)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length 72 ft (21.9 m); Beam: Not specified; Depth of hold 65 ft (21 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 21 m / 65 ft
• Location: Lake Erie
• Coordinates: N 41° 46.068′, W 82° 13.747′
• Number of Masts: 1 mast collapsed to port side

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

This schooner, presumed to date from the mid-19th century, was a small wooden sailing vessel typical of the Civil War era. Its construction features include:

• Centerboard: A common design element for schooners beginning in the 1840s, aiding in navigation in shallow waters.
• Square Stern: Typical of the period, offering additional cargo capacity.
• Tiller Steering: Indicates a smaller, manually controlled vessel.
• Block Rigging: Used instead of deadeyes, reflecting a simpler rigging system suited for smaller schooners.

Description

The wreck lies on the lakebed at 65 feet, with a slight list to port. Key features of the wreck include:

• Deteriorated Decking: Most of the decking is missing, and the cabin structure has collapsed or been lost.
• Mast Collapse: One mast has fallen to the port side.
• Net Hazards: Divers should be cautious of gill nets tangled in the wreckage, a known hazard at the site.

History

The schooner likely operated during the 1860s, a period when small, versatile schooners played an essential role in regional trade and fishing on Lake Erie. Vessels of this size and design were common for transporting goods such as grain, coal, and lumber between Great Lakes ports. The cause of its sinking remains undocumented, but the wreck’s condition and the lack of intact decking suggest it foundered during bad weather or due to structural failure.

Significant Incidents

• The wreck has been known to local diving communities for some time, though its exact discovery date and identifying details remain unclear.

Final Disposition

The wreck is heavily deteriorated, with minimal structural integrity remaining. Visible features include the square stern, remnants of rigging, and the collapsed mast.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: The wreck is heavily deteriorated, with minimal structural integrity remaining. Visible features include the square stern, remnants of rigging, and the collapsed mast.

Accessibility:

Diving Depth: 65 feet (21 meters), suitable for recreational divers with moderate experience.

Cautions:

• Gill nets present a significant entanglement risk.
• The wreck’s fragile condition requires careful navigation to avoid further damage.

Resources & Links

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The “Civil War” Wreck Schooner is a poignant reminder of the era’s bustling maritime activity on Lake Erie. Though unidentified, its design and features provide a window into the mid-19th century’s regional shipping and fishing industries. The wreck’s current condition makes it a fragile yet fascinating site for divers, highlighting the need for careful exploration and preservation. Further research and documentation could unveil more about this mysterious vessel and its role in Great Lakes history.