Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Donaldson
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Just inside Cleveland Harbor entrance, Lake Erie
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Donaldson was a wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel designed to carry bulk freight while being towed by tugboats. It was hollow-bodied and unpowered, typical of its class.
Description
Built in 1866, the Donaldson operated primarily in the Cleveland harbor area. It was used for transporting bulk freight and was typically unmanned during towing operations.
History
The Donaldson encountered a severe storm on August 17, 1913, which led to its sinking. The vessel began to leak heavily while being towed to safety and ultimately sank near the entrance of Cleveland Harbor.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: August 17, 1913
- Weather Conditions: Heavy storm winds likely connected to early fall patterns on Lake Erie
- Incident Synopsis: The Donaldson began to leak heavily in a storm and sank after being towed to safety. The tug could not maintain the tow, leading to the barge foundering.
Final Disposition
No salvage attempts were reported for the Donaldson, and it was not recovered or repaired due to its age and the extent of the damage. The vessel remains abandoned on the harbor bottom.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to be on the bottom of Lake Erie near the Cleveland Harbor entrance.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”donaldson-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the Donaldson serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels operating in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
(Wooden Schooner-Barge, built 1866; lost August 17, 1913)
Vessel Overview
- Built: 1866
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge (hollow-bodied, unpowered)
- Function: Typically carried bulk freight while being towed by tugs
- Official Numbers & Registry: Specific registry data unavailable online but operational in the Cleveland harbor area
Final Voyage & Storm Incident
- Date of Loss: August 17, 1913
- Weather Conditions: Encountered heavy storm winds likely connected to early fall patterns on Lake Erie
- Location: Just inside the entrance to Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Incident Synopsis:
According to regional shipwreck records, Donaldson “began to leak heavily in a storm and sank” after being towed to safety. The tow tug made a dash for the harbor entrance, but the barge could not keep up and foundered, sinking near the harbor mouth.
Aftermath & Vessel Status
- Salvage Attempts: None were reported; the barge was not recovered or repaired, likely due to age and damage
- Casualties: No crew aboard—as a tow barge, there was typically no crew present during towing operations
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1866 |
| Type | Wooden schooner-barge |
| Loss Date | Aug 17, 1913 |
| Location | Just inside Cleveland Harbor entrance, Lake Erie |
| Cause | Leaking under tow during storm; sank |
| Recovered | No |
| Casualties | None – barge unmanned |
| Final Status | Abandoned on harbor bottom |
Research & Follow-Up Opportunities
- Harbor Records & Tow Logs
Tug company or harbor master logs may detail towing arrangements and the sinking event. - Newspaper Coverage (Aug 1913)
Cleveland newspapers (e.g., Plain Dealer) would likely have reported the incident—potentially yielding information on storm severity, barge’s name display, and harbor disruption. - Ship Registry & Insurance Documentation
Might reveal official barge specifications, ownership, and abandonment records. - Underwater Survey & Archaeology
Sonar surveys near the harbor entrance may have located her remains. Contact NOAA or Great Lakes marine archaeology groups for any mapping data.
- Retrieve August 1913 newspaper articles from Cleveland
- Investigate harbor logs or tow company correspondence
- Access the official registry or insurance records of Donaldson
- Check for maritime survey data documenting the wreck site