Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

H.S. Walbridge US 11280

Explore the remains of the H.S. Walbridge, a wooden schooner-barge that grounded in 1896 during a storm in Lake Erie.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H.S. Walbridge
  • Type: Schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: Edward’s shipyard, Milan, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 125 ft × 25 ft × 11 ft; 215 GRT / 204 NRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 215 GRT / 204 NRT
  • Location: Approximately 2 miles west of Port Colborne, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 11280

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner-barge, operated under sail or tow.

Description

The H.S. Walbridge was a wooden schooner-barge built in 1862, measuring 125 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 215 gross tons and 204 net tons.

History

The H.S. Walbridge was constructed at Edward’s shipyard in Milan, Ohio. It served for over 30 years before its loss in 1896.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: July 16, 1896
  • Voyage: In ballast, outward bound from St. Clair, Michigan
  • Location: Grounded on a reef approximately 2 miles west of Port Colborne, Lake Erie, near Long Point
  • Weather: Storm conditions over Lake Erie, likely tied to southwest gales
  • Incident: Struck reef, went ashore, and was abandoned on-site due to structural damage
  • Casualties: None reported; crew removed safely

Final Disposition

The H.S. Walbridge was declared a constructive total loss. No salvage or recovery was attempted after grounding. The wreck disintegrated during an autumn storm and drifted ashore.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the H.S. Walbridge were exposed to environmental forces until early November 1896, when a storm broke up the hull. Pieces of wreckage, including hull fragments, washed ashore near Sugar Loaf Beach.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-s-walbridge-us-11280″ title=”References & Links”]

The H.S. Walbridge, a veteran wooden barge, struck a reef in a Lake Erie storm on July 16, 1896, and was abandoned ashore near Port Colborne. The hull gradually succumbed to natural forces and broke apart through fall storms, with debris ending up on local shores. No loss of life occurred. While she remains unlocated underwater, her debris field and documented grounding site could be investigated further through archival research and coastal surveys.

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.

(schooner‑barge, wooden, built 1862)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Official number: 11280
  • Builder: Edward’s shipyard, Milan, Ohio, 1862
  • Dimensions: 125 ft × 25 ft × 11 ft; 215 GRT / 204 NRT
  • Type: Wooden schooner‑barge (operated under sail or tow)

Final Incident (July 16, 1896)

  • Date: July 16, 1896
  • Voyage: In ballast (“light”), outward bound from St. Clair, Michigan
  • Location: Grounded on a reef approximately 2 miles west of Port Colborne, Lake Erie, near Long Point
  • Weather: Storm conditions over Lake Erie, likely tied to southwest gales
  • Incident: Struck reef, went ashore, and was abandoned on-site due to structural damage
  • Casualties: None reported; crew removed safely

Her remains remained in place, exposed to environmental forces until early November, when a subsequent storm finally broke up the hull. Pieces of wreckage—including hull fragments—washed ashore near Sugar Loaf Beach.

Wreck & Aftermath

  • Declared: Constructive total loss
  • Abandonment: No salvage or recovery was attempted after grounding
  • Final break-up: The hulled wreck disintegrated during an autumn storm and drifted ashore

Sources & Archival Evidence

Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities

  • Crew and master information: The steward on St. Clair voyages and logbooks may identify the master—listed as Capt. George McClure.
  • Weather conditions: Southwest gale analyses for July 1896 could provide meteorological context.
  • Legal or insurance records: Marine underwriter documents hosted in St. Clair or Port Colborne archives may exist.
  • On-site remains: Shoreline surveys near Sugar Loaf may still yield timbers or fastenings; assessment may help confirm wreck locations.

Conclusion

The H.S. Walbridge, a veteran wooden barge of over 30 years, struck a reef in a Lake Erie storm on July 16, 1896, and was abandoned ashore near Port Colborne. Left in place, the hull gradually succumbed to natural forces and broke apart through fall storms, with debris ending up on local shores. No loss of life occurred. While she remains unlocated underwater, her debris field and documented grounding site could be investigated further through archival research and coastal surveys.

h-s-walbridge-us-11280 1896-07-16 13:41:00