Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.G. Cleveland
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: W. A. Jones, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 10 ft (3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 264 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 18 m / 60 ft
- Location: Off Rocky River, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Original Owners: Frank Jennings, Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The H.G. CLEVELAND was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1867, designed for heavy cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Crafted for durability, the vessel carried significant tonnage and was specifically built to transport materials such as limestone, a common cargo on Lake Erie. Schooners like the H.G. CLEVELAND were essential to the economic vitality of the region, connecting industrial areas and transporting building materials essential for growth.
Description
The H.G. CLEVELAND was constructed by W. A. Jones in Black River, Ohio, in 1867. Throughout her service, the vessel weathered the demands of Great Lakes shipping, ferrying limestone across Lake Erie under the ownership of Frank Jennings of Cleveland, Ohio. Known for her reliability, the H.G. CLEVELAND became a familiar sight along the lake, symbolizing the hard work and dedication of the mariners who operated her.
History
On August 13, 1899, however, the H.G. CLEVELAND encountered a sudden and catastrophic hull failure while sailing between Kelley’s Island and the entrance to Cleveland Harbor, fully loaded with limestone. The steamer CITY OF DETROIT discovered the schooner in distress, and swift action was taken. A lifeboat was left with the vessel, and the tug MAYTHAM arrived to attempt a rescue. Despite these efforts, the schooner continued to take on water and eventually sank in 60 feet (18 meters) of water off Rocky River, Ohio.
Significant Incidents
- The H.G. CLEVELAND sank on August 13, 1899, due to a hull failure while loaded with limestone.
- Rescue efforts were initiated by the steamer CITY OF DETROIT and the tug MAYTHAM, but the vessel ultimately sank.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the H.G. CLEVELAND posed a navigational hazard, leading to efforts by Captain C. E. Dahlke of Cleveland to remove it. Contracted by the government, Dahlke undertook the responsibility of clearing the wreck from Lake Erie, ultimately removing the vessel from the surface and reducing its threat to other mariners.
Current Condition & Accessibility
After the sinking, the wreck was cleared from the lake to prevent navigation hazards, with no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the site.
Resources & Links
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The story of the H.G. CLEVELAND serves as a poignant reminder of the perils that schooners and their crews faced on the Great Lakes. From her dependable service transporting limestone to her tragic end near Cleveland Harbor, the H.G. CLEVELAND’s history reflects the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the harsh realities of lake navigation. Her legacy endures as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the elements and the determination of those who braved them.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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