Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cracker Wreck
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approx. 120 ft (36.5 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 60 m / 190 ft
- Location: Long Point, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Latitude 42° 33.48579′ N, Longitude 51° 649′ W
- Number of Masts: Main mast with top mast still attached
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Schooner
Description
The schooner wreck near Long Point is notable for its remarkable preservation and intriguing features. The main mast, with the top mast still attached, has fallen to the port side, and the rudder remains locked “hard to port.” Despite its descent to the lakebed, the schooner’s cabin is largely intact, with visible side windows and a chimney pipe still present inside. This preservation offers a rare glimpse into the vessel’s construction and interior, which is uncommon for wrecks at this depth and age.
Key Features:
- Rudder: Positioned hard to port.
- Cabin: Still intact with side windows and a chimney pipe inside, an unusual and remarkable detail for a wreck.
- Main Mast: Lays on the port side rail, with the top mast still attached.
- Bow: Blunt design featuring a carved “figurehead.”
- Additional Artifacts: Includes a bilge pump, anchors, and other structural remnants.
- Fish Nets: Numerous fishing nets are snagged on the wreck, particularly across the rudder and port-side features.
History
Although the exact identity and history of this schooner remain unknown, its design and structural features suggest it was likely active in the 19th century, a period when schooners were integral to the Great Lakes shipping industry. These vessels primarily carried bulk cargoes such as lumber, coal, or grain.
The intact cabin and figurehead indicate that this schooner may have been more finely crafted than typical working vessels, possibly hinting at a dual purpose of trade and passenger transport or simply a testament to the craftsmanship of its time.
Significant Incidents
Final Disposition:
The schooner now rests upright on the lakebed near Long Point in Lake Erie. The cause of its sinking is unknown, but the position of the rudder, the intact cabin, and the fallen mast suggest it may have gone down during a sudden and violent storm, common to the Great Lakes. The absence of significant structural damage to the hull supports this theory.
Final Disposition
The wreck is relatively well-preserved, particularly given its depth and age. The intact cabin and structural elements make it an invaluable site for studying Great Lakes schooner design and construction. However, the fishing nets pose ongoing risks to divers and the structural integrity of the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The schooner wreck near Long Point is a fascinating example of 19th-century maritime history. The preservation of features such as the cabin, rudder, and figurehead offers a unique window into its original design and function. While the wreck’s identity remains unknown, further exploration and research may yield clues about its history, purpose, and eventual demise.
Resources & Links
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This wreck serves as both a historical artifact and a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes. With its preserved cabin and distinctive figurehead, it is a rare and valuable addition to the underwater cultural heritage of Lake Erie.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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