Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H. Langley
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Likely at or serving out of Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Entering Put-in-Bay harbor, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: Not specified
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Two-mast cargo vessel
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden scow-schooner, two-mast cargo vessel.
Description
The H. Langley was a wooden scow-schooner designed for shallow-draft operations, typical of vessels used for transporting stone on Lake Erie trade routes.
History
Built circa 1867, the H. Langley operated out of Detroit, Michigan, primarily engaged in transporting rip-rap stone and similar cargoes. It likely served under one of the stone-barge lines involved in harbor construction and breakwater projects.
Significant Incidents
While approaching Put-in-Bay harbor on 15 October 1867, H. Langley encountered a mechanical failure combined with worsening storm conditions. Her rudder proved insufficient to maintain control, causing the vessel to surge leeward. She ran aground and, in the ensuing heavy swell and gale, quickly broke up into a total wreck. The crew survived without loss of life.
Final Disposition
The H. Langley was declared a total loss shortly after grounding in Put-in-Bay harbor. Her wooden hull was destroyed by wave action and storm surge, with no salvage noted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No underwater remains recorded; sinking occurred in shallow harbor and damage was catastrophic. No modern dive survey or site documentation exists.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-langley-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
The H. Langley, a wooden scow-schooner out of Detroit carrying stone, lost rudder control under storm conditions while entering Put-in-Bay Harbor on 15 October 1867, driving ashore and breaking up rapidly. The crew escaped unharmed. This incident reflects the vulnerability of lightly-built harbor barges in adverse weather when control systems fail. Very limited physical or documentary remains exist; further research into harbor logs or period newspapers may yield additional insights.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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