Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Golden Age
- Type: Schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Valentine Fries and Charles Hubbard
- Dimensions: 278 ft (84.9 m); Beam 38.8 ft; Depth of hold 20 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,846.96 GRT / 1,763.79 NRT
- Location: Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Original Owners: Valentine Fries & Charles Hubbard; later linked to Pringle Barge Line
- Number of Masts: Four
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, schooner-barge with four masts, one deck, designed for carrying massive bulk cargo.
Description
The Golden Age was built in 1882 by Valentine Fries and Charles Hubbard at Abbott’s Bridge (Milan), OH. It was notable for its size and cargo capacity, being one of the largest sailing vessels of its time.
History
Initially owned by Valentine Fries & Charles Hubbard, the Golden Age served the Great Lakes grain and bulk mineral routes with regular voyages out of Sandusky, OH, starting in June 1883. It suffered grounding incidents near Chicago (1884), Point aux Pelee (1887), and the Detroit River (1894), but was refloated each time and returned to service. In 1913, ownership was linked to Pringle Barge Line, and the vessel underwent rebuilding in 1918.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded near Chicago in 1884.
- Grounded near Point aux Pelee in 1887.
- Grounded in the Detroit River in 1894.
Final Disposition
In 1923, the Golden Age was deliberately scuttled at Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ontario, on the Lake Erie side, to serve as protective ballast or a breakwater structure. Its final resting location is part of Put-in-Bay’s submerged breakwater, accessible at shallow depth and visible in local preservation surveys.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located off South Bass Island, Lake Erie, lying atop a shallow bottom as part of Put-in-Bay’s breakwater. The structural remains are largely intact, with the wood hull clearly visible and buoyed by calm waters. The wreck is well-known locally, occasionally photographed from shore, and frequently visited by kayakers and low-impact diving teams.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”golden-age-1882″ title=”References & Links”]
The Golden Age represents a significant piece of maritime history, showcasing late-19th-century vessel design and adaptation. Its remains serve both as a historical artifact and a practical seawall, offering rich opportunities for research, documentation, and heritage interpretation.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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