Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.C.L.
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: c. 1845
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Anchored on Lake Erie; driven ashore during local gale
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden two-masted schooner typical of mid-19th century design, primarily used in the lumber and goods trade on the Great Lakes.
Description
The E.C.L. was a wooden schooner that served the lumber-and-goods trade on the Great Lakes. At the time of her loss, she was anchored in sheltered waters when a sudden localized storm overwhelmed her moorings.
History
The vessel was originally built around 1845 and had a long service history in the lumber and freight trades. After grounding in 1851 near Chicago, she was rebuilt in 1855 as a bark but reverted to the name E.C.L. post-rebuild. By 1880, she had served approximately 35 years.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded in 1851 near Chicago and rebuilt in 1855.
- Lost on November 24, 1880, during a storm while anchored.
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss following the grounding.
- Wreck was stripped of rigging, fittings, and fastenings.
- Hull remained onshore, subsequently breaking apart naturally or via human removal.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is no longer intact, having been stripped of useful fittings shortly after the loss. The hull likely deteriorated over time due to natural elements and human activity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-c-l-c1845″ title=”References & Links”]
The E.C.L. serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather events. Her story highlights the importance of understanding local conditions and the risks associated with maritime navigation.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.C.L.
- Built: c. 1845
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Date of Loss: November 24, 1880
- Location: Anchored on Lake Erie; driven ashore during local gale
- Casualties: None reported
- Loss Classification: Total loss; stripped on November 27, 1880
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wikipedia, Michigan Shipwrecks)
Vessel Description & Context
A typical mid‑19th‑century wooden schooner serving the lumber-and-goods trade on the Great Lakes. At the time of loss, she was anchored in sheltered waters when a sudden localized storm overwhelmed her moorings.
Circumstances of Loss
The vessel was caught at anchor during a powerful squall on November 24, 1880. She was driven ashore, where wave action destroyed her hull and rendered salvage unfeasible. Recognized as a total wreck, she was stripped of all useful fittings three days later, on November 27.
(Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss following the grounding
- Wreck was stripped of rigging, fittings, and fastenings
- Hull remained onshore, subsequently breaking apart naturally or via human removal
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Casualties
No crew were aboard at the time of the incident, and no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Historical Notes
- After her grounding in 1851 near Chicago, the vessel was rebuilt in 1855 as a bark, but reverted to the name E.C.L. post-rebuild
- By 1880, she had served approximately 35 years in lumber and freight trades
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | c. 1845 |
| Type | Wooden schooner (later bark post-1855) |
| Lost | Nov 24, 1880; driven ashore while anchored |
| Cause | Storm, loss of anchorage |
| Casualties | None |
| Disposition | Stripped Nov 27, hull abandoned |
Suggested Research Directions
- Search local Lake Erie newspapers (late November 1880 editions) for eyewitness accounts or salvage notices
- Investigate harbor logbooks from nearby ports for entries noting wreck and recovery efforts
- Explore land records or maritime salvage manifests for documentation of hull disposition