Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eugene
- Type: Scow Schooner
- Year Built: Circa 1863
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Approximately 64 ft (19.5 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Draft: 4 ft 4 in (1.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Point Pelee, Lake Erie
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Eugene was a wooden scow schooner, characterized by its flat-bottomed hull and shallow draft, making it suitable for navigating shallow waters and transporting bulk cargo.
Description
Built around 1863, the Eugene measured approximately 64 feet in length with a beam of 16 feet and a draft of 4 feet 4 inches. Its scow design allowed for efficient cargo handling in shallow ports and rivers. In November 1865, under the command of Captain Breyman, the Eugene was chartered to assist in the salvage of the schooner A. A. Cornwell, which had previously wrecked near Point Pelee, Lake Erie. Equipped with pumps and accompanied by a tug, the Eugene reached the wreck site and commenced salvage operations.
History
During the salvage operation, a severe gale arose, prompting the accompanying tug to depart for safety. Captain Breyman, deeming the wrecked Cornwell a safer refuge, transferred his wife and crew aboard the stranded vessel. Shortly thereafter, the Eugene broke loose, was swept away by the waves, and eventually capsized, drifting towards Point Pelee. The crew endured harsh conditions on the Cornwell, lashed to the wreck for safety, and subsisting on limited provisions until their rescue by the schooner Lucy Clark on the following Tuesday. The Eugene was built in Fair Haven, Michigan, in 1865.
Significant Incidents
- November 1865: The Eugene capsized during a gale while assisting in salvage operations for the A. A. Cornwell.
Final Disposition
The Eugene capsized and was lost near Point Pelee during the gale. Specific details about the recovery or current status of the vessel’s remains are not documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return – there is no known record of the Eugene‘s wreck being located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eugenie-1863″ title=”References & Links”]
The Eugene‘s loss underscores the perils faced by 19th-century mariners, particularly during salvage operations in unpredictable weather conditions. The incident highlights the challenges of early marine salvage efforts and the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation during that era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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