Eagle US 392

Explore the history of the Eagle, a scow schooner lost in Lake Erie during a storm in 1871. A reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Eagle
  • Type: Scow Schooner
  • Year Built: 1863
  • Builder: G.A. Johnson in Dover, Ohio
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 142 gross tons (original, 1863); 141 gross tons (revised, 1865)
  • Location: West of the piers at Cleveland, Ohio
  • Official Number: 392
  • Original Owners: Fisher Brothers, Cleveland, Ohio (1871); D.R. Brayman and others, Cleveland, Ohio (1866)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type Description

The Eagle was a scow schooner, a type of vessel known for its flat-bottomed design, which allowed it to navigate shallow waters. Constructed in 1863, it was built with wood and primarily used for transport on the Great Lakes. Its manageable size and tonnage made it suitable for cargo operations in the region.

Description

History

The Eagle was built in Dover, Ohio, during the mid-19th century, a period when schooners were vital to the shipping and trading industry on the Great Lakes. It was owned initially by D.R. Brayman and others in 1866 before being sold to the Fisher Brothers of Cleveland, Ohio, a prominent shipping company at the time.

The vessel served for nearly a decade until its fateful stranding near Cleveland in late 1871. While navigating Lake Erie, the Eagle was caught in a storm and stranded west of the Cleveland piers. Despite salvage efforts, the vessel could not be saved and was declared a total loss. It continued to be listed as “lost” in the 1872 and 1874 Merchant Vessels records, indicating the absence of successful recovery.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • Stranded during a storm in late October or early November 1871.
  • No loss of life reported.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The Eagle was ultimately unsalvageable, and its remains were abandoned. While the exact location of the wreck is not specified, it lies west of Cleveland, Ohio, likely buried under sediment or obscured by other maritime debris.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Located By & Date Found

Nil return: The wreck of the Eagle has not been rediscovered or documented in modern records.

Notmars & Advisories

No specific Notice to Mariners (NOTMARs) or current warnings pertain to the wreck of the Eagle.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”eagle-us-392″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

Legacy and Historical Context

The sinking of the Eagle underscores the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy months of autumn. This incident reflects the challenges of maritime navigation in the 19th century, where storms, limited weather forecasting, and shallow waters frequently led to vessel losses.

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.

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Eagle
  • Type: Scow Schooner
  • Official Number: 392
  • Built: 1863, by G.A. Johnson in Dover, Ohio
  • Construction Material: Wood
  • Tonnage:
    • 142 gross tons (original, 1863)
    • 141 gross tons (revised, 1865)
  • Owners:
    • Fisher Brothers, Cleveland, Ohio (1871)
    • D.R. Brayman and others, Cleveland, Ohio (1866)
  • Date Lost: Late October or early November 1871
  • Location: West of the piers at Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
  • Cause of Loss: Stranded during a storm
  • Casualties: No loss of life

Vessel Type Description

The Eagle was a scow schooner, a type of vessel known for its flat-bottomed design, which allowed it to navigate shallow waters. Constructed in 1863, it was built with wood and primarily used for transport on the Great Lakes. Its manageable size and tonnage made it suitable for cargo operations in the region.

History

The Eagle was built in Dover, Ohio, during the mid-19th century, a period when schooners were vital to the shipping and trading industry on the Great Lakes. It was owned initially by D.R. Brayman and others in 1866 before being sold to the Fisher Brothers of Cleveland, Ohio, a prominent shipping company at the time.

The vessel served for nearly a decade until its fateful stranding near Cleveland in late 1871. While navigating Lake Erie, the Eagle was caught in a storm and stranded west of the Cleveland piers. Despite salvage efforts, the vessel could not be saved and was declared a total loss. It continued to be listed as “lost” in the 1872 and 1874 Merchant Vessels records, indicating the absence of successful recovery.

Final Disposition

The Eagle was ultimately unsalvageable, and its remains were abandoned. While the exact location of the wreck is not specified, it lies west of Cleveland, Ohio, likely buried under sediment or obscured by other maritime debris.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return: The wreck of the Eagle has not been rediscovered or documented in modern records.

Notmars & Advisories

No specific Notice to Mariners (NOTMARs) or current warnings pertain to the wreck of the Eagle.

Legacy and Historical Context

The sinking of the Eagle underscores the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy months of autumn. This incident reflects the challenges of maritime navigation in the 19th century, where storms, limited weather forecasting, and shallow waters frequently led to vessel losses.

Resources & Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Repository of Great Lakes shipwrecks and incident records.
  • Great Lakes Ships Database: Historical records of vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

Keywords: Eagle Shipwreck Lake Erie Shipwreck Scow Schooner History Great Lakes Maritime Losses Cleveland, Ohio Maritime History 19th Century Shipping

eagle-us-392 1871-10-14 07:53:00