Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Forest Maid
- Type: Two-masted scow-schooner (wooden)
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: William Myers, Sheffield, Ohio
- Dimensions: 74 × 19 × 3 ft (length × beam × depth); 14 gt (37 gt old measure)
- Registered Tonnage: 14 gt (37 gt old measure)
- Location: Between Cedar Point and Marblehead, Ohio
- Official Number: 37131
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A modest wooden scow-schooner used for general freight. Scows were flat-bottomed, making them ideal for rivers and near-shore hauling on the Great Lakes.
Description
Forest Maid was a modest, two-masted scow-schooner built in 1853. In May 1872, she was fatally damaged in a collision with the propeller steamer Granite State, then taken to a bar by the tug Mystic and abandoned as a total loss. Her remains rest in shallow water between Cedar Point and Marblehead, Ohio, with no recorded casualties.
History
Short career likely spent transporting bulk commodities—records don’t specify cargo, but context suggests grain or general freight typical of scows.
Significant Incidents
- Collided in early May 1872 with the propeller steamer Granite State
- Impact crushed her decks; she sank onto her deck structure
- The tug Mystic towed her to a shoal/bar approximately halfway between Cedar Point and Marblehead
- Vessel stripped on-site and declared a total loss
- No loss of life reported
Final Disposition
The Forest Maid was declared a total loss after the collision and subsequent abandonment. Her remains are located in shallow waters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Forest Maid is confirmed and remains in shallow water, accessible for diving under appropriate conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”forest-maid-us-37131″ title=”References & Links”]
Divers interested in the Forest Maid can explore a significant piece of maritime history, reflecting the challenges faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes in the 19th century.
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 1853, sank 1872)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official Number: 37131
- Built: 1853 by William Myers, Sheffield, Ohio
- Type: Two-masted scow-schooner (wooden)
- Dimensions: 74 × 19 × 3 ft (length × beam × depth); 14 gt (37 gt old measure) (linkstothepast.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Final Loss: Early May 1872, Lake Erie, in the south passage between Cedar Point and Marblehead, Ohio (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type & Usage
A modest wooden scow-schooner used for general freight. Scows were flat-bottomed, making them ideal for rivers and near-shore hauling on the Great Lakes.
History & Operational Record
Short career likely spent transporting bulk commodities—records don’t specify cargo, but context suggests grain or general freight typical of scows.
Incident & Final Disposition
- Collided in early May 1872 with the propeller steamer Granite State
- Impact crushed her decks; she sank onto her deck structure (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- The tug Mystic towed her to a shoal/bar approximately halfway between Cedar Point and Marblehead
- Vessel stripped on-site and declared a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- No loss of life reported
Summary
Forest Maid was a modest, two-masted scow-schooner built in 1853. In May 1872, she was fatally damaged in a collision with the propeller steamer Granite State, then taken to a bar by the tug Mystic and abandoned as a total loss. Her remains rest in shallow water between Cedar Point and Marblehead, Ohio, with no recorded casualties.
Research Recommendations
- Newspaper Archives (April–June 1872)
Search Cleveland-area papers (e.g., Cleveland Leader, Plain Dealer) for collision reports and possible crew lists or cargo details. - Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (HCGL)
Access the original entry under Forest Maid (37131), and cross-reference MV, WL, NSP, HGL sources. - Harbor & Coast Guard Documents
Investigate bar inspection logs and salvage reports from Cedar Point / Marblehead for any salvage/cargo recovery efforts. - Insurance & Marine Registers
Check marine insurance logs or registry updates noting the vessel’s total loss status.