Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.F. MERRY
- Type: Wooden, three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: G. Fordham, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 121 ft (36.88 m); Beam 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth 8 ft (2.44 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 170 tons
- Location: Near Silver Creek, New York, approximately 16 miles (25.75 kilometres) west of Buffalo
- Official Number: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type:Wooden, three-masted schooner.
Description
Description:The H.F. MERRY was a typical example of the mid-19th century Great Lakes schooners, designed primarily for cargo transport across the lakes. Built in 1868 by G. Fordham in Sandusky, Ohio, she measured 121 feet (36.88 metres) in length with a beam of 26 feet (7.92 metres) and a depth of 8 feet (2.44 metres), registering at 170 tons. These dimensions facilitated the efficient movement of bulk goods, such as grain, which was a staple cargo during that era.
History
History:Throughout her 15-year career, the H.F. MERRY operated as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, transporting various commodities between ports. On November 12, 1883, she was en route from Detroit to Buffalo carrying a substantial load of 16,000 bushels of wheat. During this voyage, the schooner encountered a severe storm near Silver Creek, New York, approximately 16 miles (25.75 kilometres) west of Buffalo. The violent weather conditions overwhelmed the vessel, causing her to be blown ashore.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:– November 12, 1883: The H.F. MERRY was lost during a storm near Silver Creek, New York.
– The vessel was carrying 16,000 bushels of wheat at the time of her loss.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition:After being driven ashore by the storm, the H.F. MERRY’s hull suffered significant structural damage due to the force of the grounding. The situation worsened as the wheat cargo became soaked, leading to swelling that further compromised the vessel’s integrity. By November 16, 1883, the schooner had broken apart and was deemed a total loss. The crew managed to save themselves by reaching the shore in the ship’s yawl boat. Subsequently, the waterlogged wheat was salvaged and repurposed for whiskey distillation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility:There is no available information regarding the discovery or exact location of the wreckage of the H.F. MERRY. No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-f-merry-1838″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion:The H.F. MERRY’s demise underscores the perils faced by 19th-century mariners navigating the unpredictable and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Her loss near Silver Creek serves as a historical reminder of the challenges inherent in maritime transport during that period.
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.
H.F. MERRY
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: H.F. MERRY
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Unknown
- Date Built and Launched: 1868
- Builder: G. Fordham, Sandusky, Ohio
- Measurements: Length 121 feet (36.88 metres), Beam 26 feet (7.92 metres), Depth 8 feet (2.44 metres); Tonnage: 170 tons
- Date Lost: November 12, 1883
- Place of Loss: Near Silver Creek, New York, approximately 16 miles (25.75 kilometres) west of Buffalo
- Lake: Erie
Vessel Type:
Wooden, three-masted schooner.
Description:
The H.F. MERRY was a typical example of the mid-19th century Great Lakes schooners, designed primarily for cargo transport across the lakes. Built in 1868 by G. Fordham in Sandusky, Ohio, she measured 121 feet (36.88 metres) in length with a beam of 26 feet (7.92 metres) and a depth of 8 feet (2.44 metres), registering at 170 tons. These dimensions facilitated the efficient movement of bulk goods, such as grain, which was a staple cargo during that era.
History:
Throughout her 15-year career, the H.F. MERRY operated as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, transporting various commodities between ports. On November 12, 1883, she was en route from Detroit to Buffalo carrying a substantial load of 16,000 bushels of wheat. During this voyage, the schooner encountered a severe storm near Silver Creek, New York, approximately 16 miles (25.75 kilometres) west of Buffalo. The violent weather conditions overwhelmed the vessel, causing her to be blown ashore.
Final Disposition:
After being driven ashore by the storm, the H.F. MERRY’s hull suffered significant structural damage due to the force of the grounding. The situation worsened as the wheat cargo became soaked, leading to swelling that further compromised the vessel’s integrity. By November 16, 1883, the schooner had broken apart and was deemed a total loss. The crew managed to save themselves by reaching the shore in the ship’s yawl boat. Subsequently, the waterlogged wheat was salvaged and repurposed for whiskey distillation.
Located By & Date Found:
There is no available information regarding the discovery or exact location of the wreckage of the H.F. MERRY.
Notmars & Advisories:
No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the H.F. MERRY.
Resources & Links:
Conclusion:
The H.F. MERRY’s demise underscores the perils faced by 19th-century mariners navigating the unpredictable and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Her loss near Silver Creek serves as a historical reminder of the challenges inherent in maritime transport during that period.
Keywords and Categories:
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- Lake Erie Maritime History
- 19th-Century Schooners
- Maritime Disasters
- Shipwrecks Near Buffalo, New York
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically fore-and-aft rigged.
- Yawl: A small boat carried by a larger vessel, used primarily for ferrying crew or cargo to and from shore.
- Hogging: A condition where the middle section of a vessel bends upward due to structural stress, often leading to structural failure.