Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ganges
- Type: Wooden-schooner
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: J. Oades in Detroit
- Dimensions: 135 ft × 26 ft × 12 ft; 333 GRT / 317 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 333 GRT / 317 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 12.8 m / 42 ft
- Location: 8 miles south-southwest of Colchester, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 85 325
- Original Owners: Joseph Parsons (captain and owner), Walter H. Oades (co-owner)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden-schooner, an example of late-19th-century vessels designed for bulk freight transport.
Description
Description
The Ganges was a wooden schooner measuring 135 feet in length, built in 1874. It was under tow when it sank after a collision with the steel steamer Presque Isle.
History
History
Owned and captained by Joseph Parsons, the Ganges was co-owned by Walter H. Oades, the son of its builder. It was likely used for bulk freight, although it was unladen during its final voyage.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- May 16, 1899: The Ganges sank after being rammed by the steel steamer Presque Isle in Lake Erie.
- All crew members, including Captain Joseph Parsons and seven others, were rescued with no lives lost.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Ganges sank rapidly to near-deck level in approximately 42 feet of water, settling intact on the bottom due to a lack of cargo ballast.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck may remain in intact condition, preserved by the relatively shallow freshwater of Lake Erie, making it a candidate for archaeological documentation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ganges-1874″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Ganges serves as a significant historical site, illustrating the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels in collisions with steel ships. Its well-documented sinking provides valuable insights into maritime safety and collision dynamics.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: Ganges
- Official Number: 85 325
- Type: Wooden-schooner
- Built: 1874, by J. Oades in Detroit
- Dimensions: 135 ft × 26 ft × 12 ft; 333 GRT / 317 NRT
Final Voyage & Collision – May 16, 1899, Lake Erie (8 mi SSW of Colchester)
- The Ganges was under tow by the steel steamer Presque Isle, bound for Kelley’s Island. She was unladen (“light”) and riding high in the water.
- Around 10:30 pm, on a dark night, Presque Isle rammed the schooner—the Ganges sank rapidly down to her decks in approximately 7 fathoms (~42 ft) of water.
- Capt. Joseph Parsons and a crew of seven were rescued by Presque Isle, with no lives lost.
Wreck Site & Location
- Position: 8 miles south-southwest of Colchester, Lake Erie
- Depth: Approximately 42 ft (7 fathoms)
- Conditions: The schooner sank intact to near-deck level before settling to the bottom. She drifted after impact due to lack of cargo ballast.
Operational Background & Ownership
- Operator: Owned and captained by Joseph Parsons, co-owned by Walter H. Oades—son of the 1874 builder.
- Role: Likely used for bulk freight, though she was not laden during her final voyage.
Archival Source
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files “G” section provides vessel specs, loss circumstances, crew rescue details, and sinking depth/location.
Historical and Archaeological Significance
- Example of late-19th-century wooden towed schooners, vulnerable to unexpected collision with steel-powered vessels.
- The well-documented rescue and sinking conditions create ideal context for comparative studies on collision dynamics and crew safety.
- The wreck may remain in intact condition—preserved by relatively shallow freshwater—making it an excellent candidate for archaeological documentation.
Recommended Follow‑Up
| Focus Area | Proposed Research & Action |
|---|---|
| Wreck Site Survey | Initiate side-scan sonar and magnetometer mapping ~8 mi SSW of Colchester to precisely locate the wreck site |
| Contemporary Account Review | Examine Buffalo News and Detroit Free Press around May 17–18, 1899, for collision reports, eyewitness testimony, or detailed coordinates |
| Tow Record Analysis | Retrieve Presque Isle deck logs or Marine Department records for voyage notes and repair documentation post-collision |
| Collision Case Study | Analyze structural impact using archaeological data, comparing light vs. laden vessel damage thresholds |