Clifton US 33565

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Clifton
• Type: Originally a passenger propeller, later transformed into a tug, and finally rebuilt as a barge
• Year Built: 1846
• Builder: Dexter, New York
• Dimensions: Length 101 ft (30.8 m); Beam 18 ft (5.5 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Between Point Pelee and Cleveland, Lake Erie
• Official Number: 33565

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Clifton was a versatile vessel with a rich history of transformation. Built as a passenger propeller in 1846, she underwent a major conversion in 1860, becoming a tugboat, before being rebuilt once more in 1866 as a barge. This series of reconstructions reflects the adaptability and utility of vessels during this era, as maritime needs evolved with time. As a barge, the Clifton was primarily used for cargo, specifically lumber, transported along Lake Erie’s trade routes.

Description

The Clifton was crafted in 1846 in the shipyards of Dexter, New York, starting her career as a passenger propeller. In 1860, she was transformed into a tugboat to meet the growing demands for towing services on the Great Lakes. Six years later, in 1866, she was rebuilt as a barge at Marysville, Michigan, extending her service life and marking her final form as a cargo-carrying vessel.

History

Her story reached its tragic end in October 1874. The Clifton, laden with lumber, was caught in a fierce storm on Lake Erie while being towed by the steamer Henry Howard. Midway between Point Pelee and Cleveland, the relentless storm waterlogged her hull, and the Henry Howard was forced to abandon her. The Pacific, another passing vessel, later encountered the Clifton adrift, its crew presumed lost. However, the Clifton continued to float temporarily, becoming a spectral presence on Lake Erie before disappearing beneath the waves. Salvage attempts failed to locate her, and she vanished, her secrets submerged in the lake’s depths.

In 1878, the Clifton’s official documentation was surrendered in Port Huron, annotated with the grim note, “Wrecked in September, 1874,” marking her final disappearance and the end of her journey.

Significant Incidents

• The Clifton was transformed from a passenger vessel to a tugboat in 1860 and then rebuilt as a barge in 1866.
• In October 1874, the Clifton was wrecked during a storm on Lake Erie while being towed by the Henry Howard.
• Her official documentation was surrendered in 1878, marking her as wrecked.

Final Disposition

The Clifton was declared wrecked in October 1874 after succumbing to a violent storm. Her hull, waterlogged and abandoned, drifted across Lake Erie before vanishing completely, leaving no remains. Her document of registry was formally surrendered in January 1878 at Port Huron, sealing her place in maritime history as a mysterious loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The final resting place of the Clifton remains unknown, with no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for her as her location is still uncharted.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”clifton-us-33565″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Clifton‘s story is one of transformation, endurance, and mystery. From a passenger vessel to a tug and eventually a barge, her adaptations speak to the resourcefulness of Great Lakes maritime practices. Her tragic end in Lake Erie’s stormy waters and her disappearance left a haunting legacy, illustrating the hazards faced by mariners on the lakes. The Clifton remains a symbol of resilience and mystery, a testament to the perils of 19th-century lake navigation.