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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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