George W. Adams – Lake Erie Schooner Shipwreck (1895)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: George W. Adams
• Type: Schooner-Barge (originally a four-masted schooner)
• Year Built: 1875
• Builder: Bailey Bros.
• Dimensions: 231 ft (70.4 m) X 40 ft (12.2 m); Beam; 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 1,444 gross tons, 1,372 net tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 9.144 m / 30 ft
• Location: Near Colchester Shoal, Lake Erie
• Number of Masts: Four

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The George W. Adams was originally built in 1875 as a four-masted schooner, one of the largest sail vessels of its time on the Great Lakes. Its wooden construction, measuring 231 feet (70.4 meters) in length, 40 feet (12.2 meters) in beam, and 20 feet (6.1 meters) in depth, allowed it to carry substantial cargoes.

Tonnage: 1,444 gross tons, 1,372 net tons. The vessel was later converted into a schooner-barge, primarily used for transporting heavy cargo such as coal, often under tow by steamers.

Description

The George W. Adams had a distinguished but ultimately tragic career:

1875: Launched as one of the largest and most capable four-masted schooners on the Great Lakes, constructed by Bailey Bros. in Toledo, Ohio.

1895: On December 11, while under tow by the steamer Caledonia, the vessel was bound for Chicago from Cleveland, carrying a cargo of coal. Near Colchester Shoal in Lake Erie, heavy ice crushed the hull, causing the vessel to sink. Fortunately, no lives were lost, a testament to the crew’s efforts during the disaster.

1896: Salvage attempts during the summer proved unsuccessful. The submerged wreck became a navigational hazard due to its shallow position, with as little as 14 feet of water over the wreck.

History

The Dominion cruiser PETREL surveyed the wreck and confirmed its hazardous position. The Michigan Wrecking Co. was contracted to remove the wreck, successfully clearing the obstruction by the end of 1896.

Significant Incidents

• December 11, 1895: The George W. Adams sank near Colchester Shoal due to ice damage while under tow.
• 1896: The wreck was deemed a navigational hazard with shallow water over it.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the George W. Adams has been completely removed, leaving no physical remains for exploration or diving. The site is now part of Lake Erie’s maritime heritage, with its story preserved in historical records and archives.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the George W. Adams has been completely removed, leaving no physical remains for exploration or diving. The site is now part of Lake Erie’s maritime heritage, with its story preserved in historical records and archives.

Resources & Links

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The George W. Adams was a testament to the evolving shipbuilding and cargo transportation capabilities of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Its unfortunate demise in 1895 due to ice damage underscores the dangers of navigating these waterways, especially in winter conditions. The removal of the wreck highlights the commitment to maintaining safe navigation routes on the lakes. Though no physical remains exist, the vessel’s legacy endures as an integral part of Great Lakes maritime history.