Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Elm City (c1849)

The Elm City was a wooden schooner that caught fire on Lake Erie in 1866, resulting in a total loss. No casualties were reported.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Elm City
  • Type: Wooden schooner, two-masted
  • Year Built: Circa 1849
  • Builder: Possibly Port Dover, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Unknown (assumed ~70–90 ft)
  • Registered Tonnage: Not recorded (small cargo schooner)
  • Location: Lake Erie, between Port Dover and Erie
  • Coordinates: Unknown
  • Official Number: Unknown
  • Original Owners: Unknown
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Elm City was a wooden schooner characterized by its two-masted design, typical of cargo vessels of its time.

Description

Built around 1849, the Elm City was a modest cargo schooner that primarily operated on Lake Erie. It was engaged in transporting goods, including a significant cargo of water lime at the time of its loss.

History

The Elm City is believed to have been constructed in Port Dover, Ontario, although specific details about its ownership and registry remain unconfirmed. The vessel was likely involved in coastal trade, reflecting the common practices of the era.

Significant Incidents

  • On May 27, 1866, while crossing Lake Erie, the Elm City caught fire mid-transit.
  • The crew abandoned ship and allowed her to burn, resulting in a total loss.
  • No wreckage was recovered; the vessel likely burned to the waterline or sank post-fire.

Final Disposition

The Elm City was declared a total loss due to the fire. No recovery efforts were made, and the wreck remains unlocated.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the Elm City was lost to fire, its current condition is unknown. The site of the wreck has not been identified, and no artifacts have been recovered.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”elm-city-c1849″ title=”References & Links”]

The loss of the Elm City on May 27, 1866, highlights the dangers faced by cargo vessels of the time. Despite the total loss, no casualties were reported, and further research is needed to clarify the vessel’s history and identity.

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 Card (Site Style)

Name: Elm City
Other Names: None known
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: Canada (unconfirmed)
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, two-masted
Builder: Possibly Port Dover, Ontario
Year Built: Circa 1849
Dimensions: Unknown (assumed ~70–90 ft)
Tonnage: Not recorded (small cargo schooner)
Cargo on Final Voyage: ~800 barrels of water lime
Date of Loss: 27 May 1866
Location: Lake Erie, between Port Dover and Erie
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Unknown (burned afloat)
Home Port: Possibly Port Dover
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Not documented
Casualties: None reported

Incident & Final Disposition

  • While crossing Lake Erie on May 27, 1866, the Elm City caught fire mid-transit.
  • The crew abandoned ship and allowed her to burn—she was a total loss.
  • No wreckage was recovered; the vessel likely burned to the waterline or sank post-fire.

Context & Ambiguities

  • Multiple vessels named Elm City existed in the 19th century; this schooner should not be confused with the Civil War steamer or 1912 schooner wreck.
  • No registry, insurance, or enrollment records have been linked to this specific Elm City schooner despite consistent references to her water-lime cargo and fire-loss.

Research Gaps & Recommendations

  • Port Dover Customs Logs: Investigate shipping entries for May 1866 for ownership and port clearance.
  • 1866 Newspapers: Review Port Dover Gazette, Erie Dispatch, and Buffalo Courier for possible coverage.
  • Canadian Insurance Claims: Examine Hamilton or Toronto marine insurers for vessel loss reports.
  • Canadian Ship Registry: Consult Parliamentary records for licensed schooners circa 1849–1866.

Conclusion

The Elm City was a modest Lake Erie schooner likely built around 1849 and lost by fire on May 27, 1866. Though her dimensions, ownership, and registry remain unknown, the incident reflects typical perils faced by coastal cargo carriers of her era. Despite her total loss, no lives were reported lost, and her wreck remains unlocated. Further archival research is needed to clarify her identity.

Resources & Links

References

  1. International Maritime Library, Index to Great Lakes Disasters – Schooner Elm City, fire loss 1866
  2. GreatLakesRex WordPress – Fire incident log: schooner Elm City, May 1866

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: Elm City
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Unknown
Location Description: Lake Erie, route from Port Dover to Erie
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Total loss by fire
Cause of Loss: Fire onboard while underway
Discovery Date: Not applicable
Discovered By: Not applicable
Method: Not applicable
Legal Notes: Not protected
Hazards: None reported
Permits Required: Not applicable

Keywords

#ElmCity #LakeErieFire #GreatLakesSchooner #1866Shipwreck #PortDover #WaterLimeCargo

elm-city-c1849 1866-05-27 23:25:00