Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.G. Cleveland
- Type: Wooden propeller schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: [shipbuilder unspecified]
- Dimensions: 137 ft × 26 ft × 10 ft (41.8 m × 7.9 m × 3.0 m); Gross tonnage 294 grt
- Registered Tonnage: 294 grt
- Depth at Wreck Site: 18 m / 60 ft
- Location: Approximately 3 miles from Cleveland harbour
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden propeller schooner (auxiliary steam), commonly used for transporting bulk building materials like plaster and limestone across Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Description
Solid wooden hull with a single deck, pilothouse and mast combining sail and steam power via a propeller. With a beam of 26 ft (7.9 m) and depth of 10 ft (3.0 m), her design suited coastal freighting. The gross tonnage of 294 indicates a modest cargo hold capacity.
History
Built in 1867, the H.G. Cleveland had a lengthy career hauling plaster from Kelley’s Island to ports like Cleveland. On the early morning of 13 August 1899, while loaded with plaster, she sprang a leak approximately 3 miles off Cleveland harbour. The steamer City of Detroit detected her distress, provided a lifeboat, and arranged salvage assistance by dispatching a tug (marshcollection.org).
Significant Incidents
- On 13 August 1899, the H.G. Cleveland sank due to a leak while carrying plaster.
- All crew members were rescued by the City of Detroit.
Final Disposition
The hull took on water and sank in roughly 60 ft (18 m) of Lake Erie. There is no record of successful salvage; her registry was abandoned, marking her as a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The sinking was witnessed and confirmed by crew on the City of Detroit. The wreck lies in known—but shallow—water. No formal rediscovery dives or surveys have been documented, though the site is potentially accessible due to its modest depth.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-g-cleveland1867″ title=”References & Links”]
H.G. Cleveland exemplifies the longevity and utility of mixed-power schooners in Great Lakes commerce. Her sinking in 1899—due to hull failure—was mitigated by prompt rescue, thanks to the nearby City of Detroit. Situated in relatively shallow Lake Erie, her wreck remains a feasible target for archaeological documentation, offering insights into late-19th-century freight vessels and construction material transport.
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
- Name: H.G. Cleveland
- Built: 1867 at Black River, Ohio by [shipbuilder unspecified]
- Type: Wooden propeller schooner
- Dimensions: 137 ft × 26 ft × 10 ft (41.8 m × 7.9 m × 3.0 m); Gross tonnage 294 grt
- Date Lost: 13 August 1899
- Loss Location: Lake Erie, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) from Cleveland harbour, in about 60 ft (18 m) of water
- Cargo: Plaster
- Crew: All rescued; no lives lost
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th-century wooden propeller schooner (auxiliary steam), commonly used for transporting bulk building materials like plaster and limestone across Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Description
Solid wooden hull with a single deck, pilothouse and mast combining sail and steam power via a propeller. With a beam of 26 ft (7.9 m) and depth of 10 ft (3.0 m), her design suited coastal freighting. The gross tonnage of 294 indicates a modest cargo hold capacity.
History
Built in 1867, the H.G. Cleveland had a lengthy career hauling plaster from Kelley’s Island to ports like Cleveland. On the early morning of 13 August 1899, while loaded with plaster, she sprang a leak approximately 3 miles off Cleveland harbour. The steamer City of Detroit detected her distress, provided a lifeboat, and arranged salvage assistance by dispatching a tug †(marshcollection.org).
Final Dispositions
The hull took on water and sank in roughly 60 ft (18 m) of Lake Erie. There is no record of successful salvage; her registry was abandoned, marking her as a total loss.
Located By & Date Found
The sinking was witnessed and confirmed by crew on the City of Detroit. The wreck lies in known—but shallow—water. No formal rediscovery dives or surveys have been documented, though the site is potentially accessible due to its modest depth.
Notmars & Advisories
No official Notmar advisories have been recorded. Modern navigation charts may note the wreck site near Cleveland harbor boundaries.
Resources & Links
- Maritime report describing the incident in August 1899 (Marsh Historical Collection)
- Great Lakes ship data aggregated in historical registries
Conclusion
H.G. Cleveland exemplifies the longevity and utility of mixed-power schooners in Great Lakes commerce. Her sinking in 1899—due to hull failure—was mitigated by prompt rescue, thanks to the nearby City of Detroit. Situated in relatively shallow Lake Erie, her wreck remains a feasible target for archaeological documentation, offering insights into late‑19th‑century freight vessels and construction material transport.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Wooden propeller schooner; plaster cargo; hull failure; 1899 sinking; Lake Erie; accessible wreck; 60 ft depth; maritime rescue; City of Detroit; historic loss.
h-g-cleveland-1867 1899-08-13 19:53:00