Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Honora Carr US 95851 (Maple Leaf)

Explore the wreck of the Honora Carr, a wooden schooner that foundered in a storm in 1886, now resting in Lake Erie.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Honora Carr
  • Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Redmond & Tait, Picton, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length: 91.7 ft (27.9 m); Beam: 21.6 ft (6.6 m); Depth of hold: 7.7 ft (2.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 135 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 18.3 m / 60 ft
  • Location: Approximately two miles southwest of Point Abino, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: US 95851
  • Original Owners: Curry, Striker & Wellbanks; later Michael Carr
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Honora Carr, originally named Maple Leaf, is classified as a wooden two-masted schooner, a common vessel type used for trade and transport on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Honora Carr was constructed in 1867, measuring 91.7 feet in length, 21.6 feet in width, and 7.7 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 135 tons. The vessel was built by Redmond & Tait in Picton, Ontario, and played a significant role in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes.

History

The schooner began its service under the ownership of Curry, Striker & Wellbanks, navigating the Great Lakes and carrying various cargoes. In 1883, the Maple Leaf was driven ashore near Buffalo, New York, and was abandoned. However, it was recovered in 1885 by Michael Carr, who rebuilt the vessel and renamed it Honora Carr, registering it under the U.S. flag.

Significant Incidents

  • 1883: Driven ashore near Buffalo, New York, and abandoned.
  • 1885: Recovered and rebuilt by Michael Carr.
  • 1886-09-04: Foundered in a storm while carrying 200 tons of coal, resulting in the loss of one crew member.

Final Disposition

The Honora Carr sank on September 4, 1886, in 60 feet of water, approximately two miles southwest of Point Abino, Lake Erie. The storm that caused its sinking was severe, leading to the tragic loss of sailor Thomas Scott.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Honora Carr lies on the lakebed, with its precise condition currently unknown. Divers are encouraged to document the site using no-touch methods, respecting the historical significance of the wreck.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The story of the Honora Carr serves as a reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. As divers explore this site, they are urged to leave only bubbles and take only memories, ensuring the preservation of this maritime heritage.