Henry Roop

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: H. Roop
• Type: Wooden sloop (described as a schooner in one report)
• Year Built: Pre-1843 (exact year undocumented)
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Approx. 40-65 ft (12-20 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Cattaraugus, NY and Sandusky, Ohio
• Number of Masts: Single mast (possibly re-rigged as a schooner)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The H. Roop was a wooden sloop, a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged vessel, commonly used for lake commerce in the early-to-mid 19th century. Contemporary accounts also described her as a schooner during the second incident, possibly reflecting a re-rigging or simply a reporting error. Sloops of this period were highly valued for local trade, carrying general cargo, produce, and sometimes passengers.

Description

The vessel was constructed of wood, with a single deck and a cargo hold suited for produce and general goods. Sloops of the 1840s typically had a shallow draft to navigate variable lake ports, and H. Roop would have been equipped with a centerboard or leeboards. The mention of a schooner rig in later reporting suggests it might have had a two-masted configuration added, or that the press used “schooner” generically.

History

H. Roop was active in Lake Erie’s trade routes, transporting goods and produce among ports such as Sandusky, Cleveland, and Buffalo. On 19 October 1843, the vessel suffered two back-to-back incidents demonstrating the challenges of Great Lakes commerce:

• First Incident (Cattaraugus): The H. Roop broke free from its moorings during a storm, drifting ashore near Cattaraugus, NY. The vessel grounded, resulting in a large cargo loss valued between $10,000 and $12,000 (equivalent to roughly $400,000 CAD today), but no loss of life.
• Second Incident (Sandusky): Later the same day, the vessel encountered a violent squall off Sandusky, Ohio, and capsized. Thankfully, the crew escaped unharmed. The ship was not reported as a total loss but was likely damaged.

There is no evidence of any subsequent major repairs or a complete loss record, suggesting she may have been salvaged and repaired after these incidents.

Significant Incidents

• 19 October 1843: The H. Roop broke free from its moorings during a storm and drifted ashore near Cattaraugus, NY, resulting in significant cargo loss.
• 19 October 1843: Later that day, the vessel capsized off Sandusky, Ohio, during a squall, but the crew escaped unharmed.

Final Disposition

No conclusive final disposition is recorded. After 1843, no further references to H. Roop appear in loss lists, implying she may have returned to service following repairs.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no modern evidence of H. Roop surviving as a wreck, and no known remains are accessible to divers.

Resources & Links

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The H. Roop’s story is emblematic of early commercial sailing on Lake Erie, reflecting both the economic importance of sloops in moving goods and the constant hazards of 19th-century shipping. Its two incidents on the same day underline the unpredictable nature of Lake Erie weather and the precarious working conditions faced by mariners of the time.