Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Garrowenm
- Type: Wood-hulled schooner or bark (converted from barge)
- Year Built: 1850
- Builder: G. Ault, Kingston, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~333 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 18.3 m / 60 ft
- Location: ~10 miles offshore between Cleveland and Toronto
- Coordinates: Approximate location noted, but exact position and depth require confirmatory dive mapping.
- Official Number: None assigned (Canadian registry)
- Original Owners: Co-owned by Captain Hughes and M. Miles
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Garrowenm was a wood-hulled schooner or bark, originally built as a barge named Mary in 1850. It underwent several name changes and rebuilds throughout its service life, reflecting the common practice of repurposing aging vessels in the 19th century.
Description
Initially constructed as the Mary, the vessel was later renamed Inkerman around 1854, followed by Tornado in approximately 1857, Stork in around 1861, and finally Garrowenm in 1865. The ship was built by G. Ault in Kingston, Ontario, and had a registered tonnage of approximately 333 tons.
History
By 1869, the Garrowenm was operating under Captain Hughes out of Toronto and was co-owned by M. Miles. The vessel’s service history included transporting coal, and it was on a voyage from Cleveland to Toronto when it sank.
Significant Incidents
- Date: July 1, 1869
- Route: Departed Cleveland, bound for Toronto laden with coal
- Incident: Sprung a leak in calm weather approximately 10 miles offshore; water flooded over the deck to a depth of 60 feet
- Outcome: Crew abandoned ship in the yawl and reached safety; multiple claims of intentional scuttling as an insurance scam were refuted by early diver investigations.
Final Disposition
The Garrowenm sank in Lake Erie, and while the calm-weather sinking suggests structural failure rather than weather-induced damage, the exact circumstances remain unclear. The vessel’s wreck is believed to be located at a depth of approximately 60 feet.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is likely in a condition where the hull hulk and keel may remain intact, possibly broken above and below deck level. The exact position and depth require confirmatory dive mapping.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”garrowenmmary-inkerman-tornado-stork” title=”References & Links”]
The Garrowenm serves as an example of 19th-century vessel lifespan extension through structural repurposing and highlights the construction and maintenance challenges faced by aging wooden schooners.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Names: Built in 1850 as barge Mary, later renamed Inkerman (~1854), Tornado (~1857), Stork (~1861), and finally Garrowen (~1865)
- Built: 1850 by G. Ault, Kingston, Ontario
- Type: Wood-hulled schooner or bark (converted from barge)
- Tonnage: ~333 tons
- Official Number: None assigned (Canadian registry) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: July 1, 1869
- Route: Departed Cleveland, bound for Toronto laden with coal
- Incident: Sprung a leak in calm weather approximately 10 miles offshore; water flooded over the deck to a depth of 60 ft
- Outcome: Crew abandoned ship in the yawl and reached safety; multiple claims of intentional scuttling as an insurance scam were refuted by early diver investigations (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Historical & Technical Summary
- The vessel underwent numerous rebuilds and identity changes, reflecting 19th-century Great Lakes practice of repurposing aging hulls
- By 1869, she was operating under Captain Hughes out of Toronto, co-owned by M. Miles
- The calm-weather sinking suggests structural failure rather than weather-induced damage
Archival & Research Gaps
- Crew List & Master — Names and roles remain undocumented; may be found in Toronto-Cleveland crew manifests or customs records
- Leak Cause Analysis — No known survey or marine court documentation; ship carpentry logs or marine court records could clarify
- Scuttling Allegation Refutation — Details of the dive assessments are absent—need diver reports from 1869–1870 period
- Precise Wreck Coordinates — Approximate location noted, but exact position and depth (likely ~60 ft) require confirmatory dive mapping
Wreck Site & Survey Potential
- Location: ~10 miles off-shore between Cleveland and Toronto in Lake Erie
- Likely Condition: Hull hulk and keel may remain in ~60 ft of water, possibly broken above and below deck level
- Survey Strategy:
- Review 1869-era charts for drift/sinking position estimates
- Conduct side-scan sonar and magnetometer survey over search grid
- Follow up with DC- or ROV-assisted dive to confirm hull remains and document damage pattern—distinguishing leak versus scuttling evidence
Historical Significance & Next Steps
- Serves as an example of 19th-century vessel lifespan extension via structural repurposing
- The calm-weather sinking underscores construction and maintenance challenges aboard aging wooden schooners
- Recommended Actions:
- Archival search in Cleveland and Toronto maritime records for crew manifests, cargo logs, and marine court files
- Access insurance company archives (Toronto) regarding leak or scuttling claims
- Plan a geophysical survey targeting the reported wreck zone
- Evaluate historical diver reports (post-sinking) to integrate physical wreck condition into records