Shotline Diving

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Great Lakes Research Archive

Shotline Wreck Record

General Sherman (1865)

Explore the wreck of the General Sherman, a wooden barge that sank in a storm on Lake Erie, claiming one life and illustrating the dangers of tow-barge operations.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: General Sherman
  • Type: Wood-hulled barge
  • Year Built: 1865
  • Builder: East Saginaw, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 109 × 25 × 7 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 94 gross tons
  • Location: Approximately 2 miles offshore of Fairport, Ohio
  • Official Number: 39389
  • Original Owners: Captain Joseph Mills
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: The General Sherman was a wooden barge built specifically for freight transport, designed to be towed by steam tugs, which was common in the lumber and bulk trade on Lake Erie.

Description

The General Sherman was a wooden-hulled barge measuring 109 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 7 feet in depth. It was constructed in 1865 in East Saginaw, Michigan, and had a registered tonnage of 94 gross tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting lumber and salt.

History

Built in 1865, the General Sherman was owned and commanded by Captain Joseph Mills, operating out of Bay City. The barge was towed by the steam tug John T. Edwards during its final voyage, which was intended to transport a significant cargo of lumber and salt from Bay City to Ashtabula.

Significant Incidents

  • On October 29, 1874, the General Sherman encountered a severe autumn storm approximately 2 miles offshore of Fairport, Ohio.
  • The vessel took on water and became waterlogged, leading the crew to anchor and abandon ship.
  • During the abandonment, the rescue boat capsized, resulting in the drowning of the captain’s young son.
  • The General Sherman foundered and sank shortly after the crew abandoned ship, and by October 28, it was deemed a total loss.

Final Disposition

The General Sherman was lost to the waters of Lake Erie after being overwhelmed by the storm. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of unpowered barges during severe weather conditions, particularly when carrying heavy cargo.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the General Sherman remains submerged in Lake Erie. As of now, specific details regarding the current condition of the wreck and its accessibility for divers are not documented.

Resources & Links

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The General Sherman serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by tow-barge operations on Lake Erie, particularly during the tumultuous autumn months. The loss of the vessel and the tragic drowning of the captain’s son underscore the risks inherent in maritime transport during severe weather.

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.

General Sherman (wooden barge; built 1865)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Built: 1865, East Saginaw, Michigan
  • Type: Wood-hulled barge, 109 × 25 × 7 ft; 94 gross tons; Official No. 39389
  • Ownership & Command: Out of Bay City; owned and commanded by Captain Joseph Mills
  • Tow Vessel: Steam tug John T. Edwards
  • Loss Date: October 29, 1874
  • Route & Cargo: Upbound from Bay City to Ashtabula, carrying 15,000 ft of lumber and 4,200 barrels of salt
  • Casualties: One (Captain’s young son drowned when rescue boat capsized) (espis.boem.gov, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Incident & Final Disposition

Caught in a severe autumn storm, General Sherman took on water (“waterlogged”) approximately 2 miles offshore of Fairport, Ohio. The crew anchored and abandoned ship, rowing toward shore—but their boat capsized, tragically drowning the captain’s young son. The vessel foundered and sank soon after; by October 28 it was deemed a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Vessel Role & Context

  • Built expressly as a freight barge designed for tow by steam tugs—common in lumber and bulk trade on Lake Erie.
  • The hefty cargo of lumber and salt likely contributed to water ingress during severe wave action, overwhelming her buoyancy.

Noteworthy Details

  • Captain Mills had her rebuilt in 1872 prior to the final voyage (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • The brief but intense storm caused rapid flooding; the decision to drop anchor and abandon exemplifies standard emergency protocol of the era but highlights the vulnerability of unpowered barges during storms.

Research Opportunities

  • Crew Roster & Rescue Logs: Might be in U.S. Life-Saving Service records from Fairport or Ashtabula.
  • Insurance Claims: Bay City underwriter records could detail financial loss and possible salvage attempts.
  • Tugboat Logs: Tug John T. Edwards may have kept logs clarifying the tow conditions and storm onset.

Summary

The General Sherman foundered in a late-October 1874 gale while under tow, succumbing to waves that waterlogged her amid heavy cargo. Though the crew escaped, the incident claimed the captain’s young son and ended in total vessel loss. This case illustrates both the hazards of tow-barge operations and the risks posed by autumn storms on Lake Erie.

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