Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George H. Walker
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1837
- Builder: John Ripson, Selkirk, New York
- Dimensions: 83 × 20 × 8 ft; ~124 tons
- Registered Tonnage: None
- Location: Near Madison, Ohio
- Official Number: None
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type & Rig: Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
The George H. Walker was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1837 by John Ripson in Selkirk, New York. Some sources suggest it may have been built in 1827. The vessel measured approximately 83 feet in length, 20 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of around 124 tons. It did not have an official number, which was common for early vessels.
History
The George H. Walker was part of the 1850s lumber trade on Lake Erie, operating amid early schooner fleets. It is noted for its emergency buoyancy provided by its lumber cargo, which allowed it to remain afloat temporarily after taking on water during a storm.
Significant Incidents
- Date: October 27, 1853
- Voyage Route: From Port Burwell, Ontario to Cleveland, Ohio
- Incident: The vessel sprang a leak approximately 40 miles offshore during a severe storm, causing the hull to flood and sink to deck level. The lumber cargo kept the schooner afloat, allowing it to drift until the crew was rescued by local residents near Madison, Ohio.
- Casualties: None; all crew members survived.
Final Disposition
The George H. Walker began sinking offshore in Lake Erie and drifted ashore near Madison, Ohio. It likely became a wreck on the shore and may have been stripped locally. Remains of the vessel may still be buried under beach sand near the historic Madison harbor.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is believed to be buried under sand, with potential remains of the vessel still present. The area may be suitable for archaeological surveys, especially during low-water conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-h-walker-g-h-walker” title=”References & Links”]
The George H. Walker exemplifies the vulnerabilities faced by early wooden schooners during storms. Its beaching near Madison, following the crew’s rescue, highlights the maritime resilience of mid-19th-century coastal communities. This site presents opportunities for further archaeological and archival research.
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.
Schooner George H. Walker (also seen as G.H. Walker)
Identification & Build
- Type & Rig: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Built: 1837 by John Ripson, Selkirk, New York (some sources note built 1827)
- Size: ≈83 × 20 × 8 ft; ~124 tons
- Official Number: None, as common for early vessels (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: October 27, 1853
- Voyage Route: From Port Burwell, Ontario to Cleveland, Ohio
- Incident: Sprang a leak approximately 40 miles offshore during a severe storm. The hull flooded, sinking the vessel to deck level. Her lumber cargo kept her afloat, allowing the schooner to drift. The crew were eventually rescued by local residents near Madison, Ohio (Alchem Inc., Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Casualties: None; crew survived.
Wreck & Site Condition
- Loss Location: Started sinking offshore in Lake Erie, drifting east, and came ashore near Madison dock, Ohio (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Final Disposition: Became a wreck on shore—likely stripped locally; remains may still be buried under beach sand near historic Madison harbor.
Historical Context & Significance
- Part of 1850s lumber trade on Lake Erie amid early schooner fleets.
- Early example of emergency buoyancy from cargo, and community-based rescue efforts along rural shores.
- Vessel is an early wooden sailing ship with limited registry documentation; its drifting wreck provides insight into storm behavior and coastal responses.
Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Actions |
|---|---|
| Local Newspaper Records | Search Madison Messenger, Ashtabula Sentinel, Cleveland Plain Dealer from Nov 1853 for wreck and rescue accounts. |
| Livesaving Reports | Seek Lifesaving Service or Port Clinton harbor logs for logs of rescue or wreck notices. |
| Archaeological Survey | Shoreline survey near Madison for potential remains; low-water beach exposures could reveal timbers or fasteners. |
| Registry & Crew Info | Research vessel build records for John Ripson and seek crew lists tied to Captain Hart. |
| Cultural Memory | Oral histories or early local histories may preserve folk accounts of the “floating lumber schooner” washed ashore. |
Summary Profile
- Name: George H. Walker (or G.H. Walker)
- Built: 1837, Selkirk, NY – wooden schooner (~124 t)
- Lost: Oct 27, 1853 – leak in a storm, sank to deck, drifted, rescued near Madison, OH
- Casualties: None
- Disposition: Wreck washed ashore and likely dismantled locally
Conclusion
The George H. Walker represents the vulnerability of early wooden schooners to hull breaches and storms—even when cargo buoyancy provided temporary safety. Its beaching near Madison, OH, following crew rescue by locals, speaks to mid-19th-century coastal communities’ maritime resilience. This site is a promising candidate for shoreline archaeological survey and archival research to flesh out crew lists, construction details, and local rescue narratives.
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