Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.A. Lamars
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner, propeller-driven
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: S. M. Lane, Fairport, Ohio
- Dimensions: 96 × 22 × 5 ft (29.3 × 6.7 × 1.5 m); 88 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 88 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 183 m / 600 ft
- Location: Near Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 42218
- Original Owners: Previous ownership not recorded; no recent ownership detail
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A small working scow-schooner rigged for cargo, with steam or sail auxiliary power—a staple on Lake Erie for hauling wood, coal, and bulk goods in and out of ports like Fairport.
Description
H.A. Lamars, built in 1868, served Great Lakes coastal trade. She was a typical mid-19th-century wooden scow-schooner—sturdy yet vulnerable in sudden storms. At loss, she carried lumber and was likely under a combination of sail and steam power.
History
- Built by S. M. Lane in Fairport, she operated regionally, transporting wood and similar loadouts.
- In October 1880, she was driven ashore near Marblehead, Ohio, sustaining damage.
- On 12 November 1881, she attempted to enter Fairport harbor but was caught in a severe gale and forced to hold off (“lay-to”) offshore overnight.
- At dawn on 13 November, while under tow by a tug, she capsized and sank about 600 ft off the north pier, breaking up by 17 November.
Significant Incidents
- October 1880: Driven ashore near Marblehead, Ohio, sustaining damage.
- 12 November 1881: Caught in a severe gale while attempting to enter Fairport harbor.
- 13 November 1881: Capsized and sank while under tow, approximately 600 ft off the north pier.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss following capsizing and breakup. Wooden wreckage likely washed ashore or dispersed; no salvage recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No documented discovery. The wreck site remained undocumented and unsurveyed, with position described only in period reports (600 ft off pier).
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-a-lamars-us-42218″ title=”References & Links”]
H.A. Lamars was a typical wood-carrying scow-schooner built in 1868 at Fairport, Ohio. She fell victim to a fierce November 1881 gale: after failing to enter port on the 12th, she lay offshore overnight. On 13 November, under tow, she capsized and sank swiftly, a near-total wreck. No lives were lost, but her remains were never formally recorded or located. This case typifies the sudden dangers of Great Lakes shipping in late-season storms—especially for shallow-draft wood vessels.
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
- Vessel Name: H.A. Lamars (sometimes misrecorded as H.H. Lamars or H.A. Lamar)
- Official Number: 42218
- Type: Wooden scow‑schooner, propeller-driven
- Build Year: 1868
- Builder: S. M. Lane, Fairport, Ohio
- Dimensions: 96 × 22 × 5 ft (29.3 × 6.7 × 1.5 m), 88 tons (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Cargo at Loss: Wood (lumber) (alcheminc.com)
- Date of Loss: 13 November 1881
- Location of Loss: Near Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Depth at Site: Capsized ~600 ft (183 m) off north pier (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Owner at Time of Loss: Previous ownership not recorded; no recent ownership detail
VESSEL TYPE
A small working scow‑schooner rigged for cargo, with steam or sail auxiliary power—a staple on Lake Erie for hauling wood, coal, and bulk goods in and out of ports like Fairport.
DESCRIPTION
H.A. Lamars, built in 1868, served Great Lakes coastal trade. She was a typical mid‑19th‑century wooden scow‑schooner—sturdy yet vulnerable in sudden storms. At loss, she carried lumber and was likely under a combination of sail and steam power.
HISTORY
- Built by S. M. Lane in Fairport, she operated regionally, transporting wood and similar loadouts.
- In October 1880, she was driven ashore near Marblehead, Ohio, sustaining damage.
- On 12 November 1881, she attempted to enter Fairport harbor but was caught in a severe gale and forced to hold off (“lay‑to”) offshore overnight (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
- At dawn on 13 November, while under tow by a tug, she capsized and sank about 600 ft off the north pier, breaking up by 17 November (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
FINAL DISPOSITION
Declared a total loss following capsizing and breakup. Wooden wreckage likely washed ashore or dispersed; no salvage recorded.
LOCATED BY & DATE FOUND
No documented discovery. The wreck site remained undocumented and unsurveyed, with position described only in period reports (600 ft off pier).
NOTICES TO MARINERS & ADVISORIES
No official Notice to Mariners recorded at the time. However, remnants near pier may pose hazard during low-water seasons; divers and navigation should proceed with caution in that zone.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files WordPress: Primary data on build, capsizing, cargo, and sinking (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Erie–Ashtabula shipwreck listings (Alchem Inc.): Confirms capsizing in 1881 with cargo detail (alcheminc.com)
- History of the Great Lakes by Wisconsin Genealogy Resources: Chronicles sequence of events in November 1881 (linkstothepast.com)
Conclusion
H.A. Lamars was a typical wood‑carrying scow‑schooner built in 1868 at Fairport, Ohio. She fell victim to a fierce November 1881 gale: after failing to enter port on the 12th, she lay offshore overnight. On 13 November, under tow, she capsized and sank swiftly, a near-total wreck. No lives were lost, but her remains were never formally recorded or located. This case typifies the sudden dangers of Great Lakes shipping in late‑season storms—especially for shallow-draft wood vessels.
Keywords & Glossary:
H.A. Lamars; scow‑schooner; capsizing; Fairport Ohio; Lake Erie gale; 1881 wreck.