Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eli
- Type: wooden scow or scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: G.A. Johnson
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 142 GRT
- Location: Near Ashtabula, Ohio
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Eli functioned as a wooden scow or scow-schooner, commonly used to haul bulk goods like coal, gravel, or grain.
Description
The Eli was built in 1863 at Dover, Ohio by G.A. Johnson. At the time of her sinking, she was carrying a substantial bulk freight, with a total loss value estimated at $12,000.
History
The Eli sank on November 14, 1887, near Ashtabula, Ohio, during a severe southwest gale. The vessel was overwhelmed by the storm and foundered, resulting in the loss of nine crew members, although the total crew size is unspecified.
Significant Incidents
- Date: November 14, 1887
- Location: Near Ashtabula, Ohio, on eastern Lake Erie
- Cause: Overwhelmed by a severe southwest gale—foundered and sank, reportedly worth around $12,000 including cargo
- Casualties: 9 lives lost of an unspecified crew size
Final Disposition
The Eli sank in deep waters near Ashtabula’s eastern piers, likely resulting in scattered wreckage in deeper zones beyond coastal shoals. The condition of the wreck is uncertain, with wooden hull fragments probably scattered across the lakebed or consumed by waves. No modern surveys have been documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Eli remains unverified, with no modern surveys conducted to confirm its exact location or condition. The potential for underwater rediscovery exists, but further research and exploration are needed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eli-1863″ title=”References & Links”]
The Eli, built in 1863, met her tragic end on November 14, 1887, off Ashtabula, Ohio, during a severe southwest gale. She foundered, resulting in nine crew deaths, with a reported total loss of $12,000. While documented in historical files, her wreck location remains unverified. Still, her story and fate offer compelling reasons for in-depth archival research and potential underwater rediscovery.
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.
- Built: 1863 at Dover, Ohio by G.A. Johnson
- Tonnage: Approximately 142 GRT (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Incident & Loss
- Date: November 14, 1887
- Location: Near Ashtabula, Ohio, on eastern Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cause: Overwhelmed by a severe southwest gale—foundered and sank, reportedly worth around $12,000 including cargo (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Casualties: 9 lives lost of an unspecified crew size
Vessel Role & Cargo
- Functioned as a wooden scow or scow-schooner, commonly used to haul bulk goods like coal, gravel, or grain
- Carrying cargo at time of sinking; total loss value estimated at $12,000 suggests substantial bulk freight (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com)
Wreck Site & Conditions
- Resting place: Deep waters near Ashtabula’s eastern piers; likely scattered wreckage in deeper zones beyond coastal shoals
- Condition: Wooden hull fragments probably scattered across the lakebed or consumed by waves; no modern surveys currently documented
Archival Documentation
- Detailed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files and corroborated by Ashtabula region shipwreck indexes (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com)
Research Gaps & Future Directions
| Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Crew Manifests & Casualty Lists | Consult Ohio newspaper archives (e.g., Ashtabula Sentinel, Cleveland Plain Dealer) for November 1887 casualty coverage |
| Weather & Gale Context | Analyze meteorological logs from Nov 1887 to trace gale timing and strength |
| Insurance Records | Explore marine insurance files to validate the estimated loss value |
| Underwater Survey Potential | Investigate side-scan sonar data for remnant debris or voids near Ashtabula Harbor |
| Archival Register Confirmation | Verify build info, official number, and ownership via U.S. Customs and Great Lakes vessel registers |
Summary
The Eli, built in 1863, met her tragic end on November 14, 1887, off Ashtabula, Ohio, during a severe SW gale. She foundered, resulting in 9 crew deaths, with a reported total loss of $12,000. While documented in historical files, her wreck location remains unverified. Still, her story and fate offer compelling reasons for in-depth archival research and potential underwater rediscovery.
eli-1863 1887-11-14 17:00:00