Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fulton
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: 256 GRT
- Location: Toledo, Ohio
- Original Owners: M. Bashore of Marine City, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge
Description
The Fulton foundered at Toledo, Ohio during a storm while tied up at dock. All five crew members on board survived the incident. Although stern-mounted at dock, she took on water and sank alongside the pier, becoming a total loss.
History
The Fulton was built in 1854 and had a registered tonnage of 256 gross tons. At the time of her loss, she was owned by M. Bashore of Marine City, Michigan. She appears to have been operating as a moored barge at the time of loss.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: July 7, 1908
- Location: Toledo, Ohio
- Conditions: Mooring lines likely gave way in heavy weather
- Description: The Fulton sank during a storm event while tied up at dock. All five crew on board survived.
Final Disposition
The Fulton was declared a total constructive loss post-incident. She was presumed abandoned or scuttled without an attempt at salvage, given her age (54 years) and the extent of saturation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no current information available regarding the physical remains of the Fulton. If remains exist in shallow harbor waters, field surveys or sonar scans might confirm their location.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fulton-1854″ title=”References & Links”]
The Fulton, a 54-year-old wooden schooner-barge, sank at her mooring in Toledo during a summer storm on July 7, 1908. Despite significant operational longevity, her age and the nature of the damage led to her abandonment as a total loss. All crew escaped, and with no records of salvage, the wreck likely remains undisturbed. Follow-up investigations into local archives could recover construction, crew, and insurance details, while harbor expeditions might identify her remains.
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.
(wooden schooner-barge, built 1854)
Identification & Incident Details
- Name: Fulton
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Build Year: 1854
- Tonnage: 256 GRT
- Owner (at loss): M. Bashore of Marine City, Michigan ([turn0search1]).
Incident Summary
- Loss Date: July 7, 1908
- Location: Toledo, Ohio
- Conditions: Mooring lines likely gave way in heavy weather
- Description: The Fulton “foundered at Toledo, O.” during the storm event, while tied up at dock. All five crew on board survived (US Data, Wikipedia).
Although stern-mounted at dock, she took on water and sank alongside the pier, becoming a total loss.
Final Disposition
- Declared a total constructive loss post-incident
- Presumed abandoned or scuttled without attempt at salvage, given her age (54 years) and extent of saturation
Sources & Notes
- Primary Source: “Vessel Losses – USGenNet Data Repository” lists Fulton (256 grt, 1854) as foundered July 7, 1908, at Toledo; all five aboard survived (US Data).
- No further information is available in standard databases such as Lloyd’s Register or Great Lakes Shipwreck Files; she appears to have been operating as a moored barge at the time of loss.
Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities
- Construction and registry records (1854): To obtain builder, dimensions, homeport, conversion to barge. Port of registry likely Great Lakes vessel listings from mid-19th century.
- Local documentation: Toledo newspapers (e.g., Toledo Blade, Toledo News-Bee) from July 1908 may contain accident detail or insurance report.
- Insurance & salvage records: Marine underwriters could hold claims or notice of abandonment.
- Physical remains: If remains exist in shallow harbor waters, field survey or sonar scan might confirm location.
Conclusion
The Fulton, a 54-year-old wooden schooner-barge, sank at her mooring in Toledo during a summer storm on July 7, 1908. Despite significant operational longevity, her age and the nature of the damage led to her abandonment as a total loss. All crew escaped, and with no records of salvage, the wreck likely remains undisturbed. Follow-up investigations into local archives could recover construction, crew, and insurance details, while harbor expeditions might identify her remains.
fulton-1854 1908-07-07 13:34:00