Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Helen Mar
- Type: Wooden schooner (grain trader)
- Year Built: circa 1837
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 5,000 bushels of wheat
- Location: Near Point Abino, Lake Erie
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden schooner (grain trader), carrying approximately 5,000 bushels of wheat.
Route: Bound from Cleveland to Buffalo across Lake Erie.
Description
The Helen Mar was a wooden schooner built circa 1837, primarily used for transporting grain. On October 4, 1840, she was caught in a violent storm near Point Abino, Ontario, and sank to her upper spars. The ship disappeared amid heavy seas, with parts of her hull later observed drifting ashore.
History
During her service, the Helen Mar was engaged in grain trading, specifically transporting wheat across Lake Erie. The vessel was lost during a storm, resulting in the tragic loss of all crew members aboard, which numbered either five or seven, including Captain Judah Welles Ransom, a noted early navigator of the Upper Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- Lost on October 4, 1840, during a violent storm near Point Abino.
- All crew members aboard were lost, including Captain Judah Welles Ransom.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Helen Mar has not been recovered or surveyed. Parts of her hull were observed drifting ashore after the sinking, but the exact location of the wreck remains unknown.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck of the Helen Mar has not been located or documented through underwater surveys. The conditions of the wreck site are unknown, and accessibility for divers is not established.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”helen-mar-1837″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the Helen Mar highlights the navigational hazards faced by early 19th-century vessels on Lake Erie, particularly before the advent of modern navigation aids. Further research into historical records may provide additional insights into this tragic maritime incident.
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.
(built circa 1837; lost October 4, 1840)
Vessel & Route Overview
- Type: Wooden schooner (grain trader), carrying approximately 5,000 bushels of wheat
- Route: Bound from Cleveland to Buffalo across Lake Erie
- Loss Date: October 4, 1840
- Disaster Area: Mid-lake storm zone near Point Abino, Ontario, close to the Niagara River outlet (oswego.nygenweb.net, alcheminc.com)
Circumstances of Loss
- During a violent storm, Helen Mar sank to her upper spars near Point Abino. The ship disappeared amid heavy seas; later, parts of her hull were observed drifting ashore. (alcheminc.com)
- Crew casualties: All aboard—either five or seven crewmen—were lost, including Captain Judah Welles Ransom, a noted early Upper Great Lakes navigator. (alcheminc.com)
Distinct Identity Clarification
- This schooner should not be confused with the paddle steamer Helen Mar (US 11818), which burned at Allegan, Michigan in 1869—an entirely different vessel. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Helen Mar |
| Built | circa 1837 (wooden lake schooner) |
| Cargo | 5,000 bu wheat |
| Loss Date | October 4, 1840 |
| Loss Location | Near Point Abino, Lake Erie |
| Cause | Overwhelmed by storm—sank to spars |
| Crew & Casualties | 5–7 crew lost, including Captain Ransom |
| Distinct Vessel Note | Not the 1869 Allegan steamer of same name |
| Wreck Located | Not recovered or surveyed |
Citation Summary
- Incident and casualty detail from Lake Erie Shipwreck Map – Helen Mar listing (alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cross-reference of similarly named vessels from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress archive) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Observations & Potential Research Paths
- Historical significance: The sinking of Helen Mar with her noted captain underscores early 19th-century navigational hazards on Lake Erie, before modern navigation aids.
- Gaps in record: While casualty estimates vary (5 or 7 lost), crew names and official registry numbers remain unidentified.
- Research directions:
- Search mid-October 1840 Buffalo or Cleveland newspaper archives for wreck reporting or casualty lists.
- Review early U.S. shipping registers or customs logs that might list a schooner named Helen Mar carrying wheat.
- Clarify regional insurance underwriters’ ledgers from 1841 (e.g. Buffalo or Detroit offices).