Exchange US 7315

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Exchange
• Type: Wooden-hulled schooner
• Year Built: 1857
• Builder: I.W. Nicholas
• Dimensions: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Originally 390 78/95, later re-measured to 292.04 gross tons in 1866
• Location: Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie
• Official Number: 7315
• Original Owners: A. Bradley, St. Clair, Mason & Thompson, James Lawler
• Number of Masts: Two masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Exchange was a two-masted schooner designed for cargo transport, primarily handling materials such as stone blocks, lumber, wheat, and iron ore. Its robust wooden construction allowed for multi-lake navigation, though it was vulnerable to the severe weather of the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1857, the schooner Exchange was among the versatile cargo vessels plying the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Its primary duties included the transport of raw materials essential to the region’s burgeoning industries. Over its operational life, it changed ownership multiple times and underwent several modifications, including a re-measurement of its tonnage.

The schooner encountered numerous maritime incidents, including collisions, groundings, and cargo losses, which highlight the risks associated with Great Lakes navigation. Despite these challenges, the Exchange remained in service until its eventual wreck in 1874.

History

On November 20, 1874, while attempting to leave the harbor at Kelley’s Island during heavy weather, the Exchange ran aground. Laden with stone blocks, the vessel was rendered immobile and later declared a total loss on November 30, 1874. By April 1876, a gale destroyed what remained of the wreck.

In 1885, the wreck site of the Exchange was further impacted when it was struck by the tug American Eagle, indicating the remnants were still present and possibly navigational hazards.

Significant Incidents

• July 1857: Collision with brig R.H. Harmon in the Straits of Mackinac, sustaining repairable damage.
• August 1857: Sank in Racine, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan, while laden with lumber; later raised.
• May 1861: Damaged in a collision with the steamer Comet near False Duck Islands, Lake Ontario.
• October 1862: Lost its deck load of iron ore during a gale at Marquette, Michigan.
• November 1862: Damaged in a collision with schooner J.C. Reeves at Oak Orchard, Lake Ontario, while carrying salt; repaired in Oswego, NY.
• September 1866: Sank at Cleveland, Lake Erie, en route from Marquette with iron ore; raised successfully.
• 1871: Ran aground in the St. Clair River; freed with tug assistance.

Final Disposition

Declared a total loss after its stranding in November 1874, the Exchange’s remains were further destroyed during a storm in 1876 and subsequently scattered by the tug American Eagle. No significant intact sections are known to remain today.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Located on a weed-covered rock bottom, there is not much left at this shallow water site other than the anchor chain and some timbers. This wreck is occasionally done as a shore dive.

Resources & Links

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The schooner Exchange serves as a reminder of the perilous yet essential role of maritime transport during the 19th century. Its numerous mishaps reflect the challenging conditions on the Great Lakes, and its loss at Kelley’s Island underscores the importance of weather awareness and harbor safety. Further exploration of the site might reveal remnants of this storied vessel, preserving its legacy as part of Great Lakes history.