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.
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