Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E. C. Williams
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Rogers in Charlotte, New York
- Dimensions: 105 ft (~32 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 175 tons
- Location: Approximately 4 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania, near Elk Creek
- Original Owners: William C. Davison, later joined by John Davison
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner typical of mid-19th-century design, primarily used for light cargo transport.
Description
The E. C. Williams was a wooden schooner built in 1849, measuring approximately 105 feet in length and registered at 175 tons. It served the Buffalo–Erie corridor, transporting light cargo.
History
Initially owned by William C. Davison of Buffalo, the E. C. Williams was later joined by his brother John Davison. The vessel was engaged in typical mid-19th-century shipping activities, primarily between Buffalo, NY, and Erie, PA.
Significant Incidents
- On May 26, 1861, the E. C. Williams was caught in heavy spring gales while attempting to ride out the storm by dropping both anchors.
- Both anchor cables parted under pressure, causing the vessel to be driven ashore onto a rocky beach.
- The crew managed to escape without injuries by making their way across the rigging to the shoreline.
- Over the following days, the schooner broke apart due to wave action and was declared a total wreck.
Final Disposition
The E. C. Williams was ultimately lost to the elements, with its remains likely consisting of broken fragments such as keel, planking, and iron fasteners, which may have washed up or become buried in shallow sand.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located beachside near Elk Creek, approximately 4 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania. The remains are likely scattered and may require shoreline walking surveys and subsurface magnetometer sweeps for exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-c-williams-1849″ title=”References & Links”]
The E. C. Williams serves as a significant example of early fishing and light-cargo schooners in the Great Lakes, illustrating the challenges faced by mariners 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E. C. Williams
- Built: 1849, by Rogers in Charlotte, New York
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner — ~105 ft in length, ~175 tons burden
- Final Event: Wrecked in a spring storm while carrying light cargo
- Last Voyage: Bound from Buffalo, NY to Erie, PA
- Loss Location: Approximately 4 mi east of Erie, Pennsylvania, near Elk Creek, on Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com)
- Casualties: None—entire crew survived
Incident & Sinking Details
- On May 26, 1861, amid heavy spring gales, the E. C. Williams attempted to ride out the storm by dropping both anchors.
- Both cables parted under pressure, allowing the vessel to be driven ashore onto a rocky beach.
- While heeled over, the crew made their way across the rigging to shore line, escaping without injuries.
- Over the next days, the schooner broke apart from wave action and was declared a total wreck (alcheminc.com).
Vessel History & Ownership
- Initial Owner & Captain: William C. Davison of Buffalo, later joined by brother John Davison (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Served the Buffalo–Erie corridor in light cargo transport, typical of mid-19th-century schooners.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Builder & Registry Info: Enrollment and tonnage records may be found in the Buffalo Customs House archives.
- Crew List & Command: Missing—a search in District enrollment documents could reveal master and crew.
- Weather Conditions: Historical weather data would clarify the severity of the May storm.
- News Reports: 1861 Erie and Buffalo newspaper coverage could include firsthand accounts and crew statements.
- Wreck Debris Recovery: Local records may note salvage efforts or artifact recovery on the beach.
Wreck & Exploration Considerations
- Location: Beachside near Elk Creek, approx. 4 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania.
- Remains: Likely broken fragments—keel, planking, iron fasteners—washed up or buried in shallow sand.
- Survey Strategy:
- Shoreline walking surveys and subsurface magnetometer sweeps near Elk Creek.
- Mapping with historical chart overlays.
- Possible low-tide dives to uncover timbers or artifacts.
Historical Significance
- The E. C. Williams exemplifies early fishing- and light-cargo schooners serving smaller Great Lakes ports.
- The storm loss demonstrates anchor failure under storm conditions and the crew’s resourceful evacuation.
- Surfacing such a wreck provides tangible evidence of mid-19th-century vessel design and storm-response practices on Lake Erie.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Request: Buffalo Customs enrollment logs (1849–1861) for construction and crew information.
- Newspaper Retrieval: Erie and Buffalo press from June 1861 for narratives and eyewitness accounts.
- Field Reconnaissance: On-site magnetometer survey and beach debris identification near Elk Creek.
- Weather Data Collection: NOAA historical storm archives for May 1861.