Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hugh Coyne
- Type: Two-masted scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: A. McLeod in Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 33 gross tons
- Location: Lake Erie near North Harbor area
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 42160
- Original Owners: Hugh Coyne of Cleveland
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted scow-schooner, approximately 33 gross tons.
Description
The Hugh Coyne was a wooden scow-schooner built in 1864, primarily used for transporting cargo on Lake Erie. At the time of her loss, she was carrying 24 cords of building stone.
History
Owned and captained by Hugh Coyne of Cleveland, the vessel suffered from progressive wear before her loss. The cargo of stone made the vessel low-freeboard and vulnerable to flooding under stress.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a storm, the vessel sprung a leak and began to flood.
- The three-man crew took to a small boat, making landfall at Amherstburg, Ontario, 48 hours later.
- All three crew members survived the incident.
Final Disposition
The Hugh Coyne sank in Lake Erie after developing a leak during a storm. The crew’s survival by rowing for two days and nights highlights the dangers of open-boat operations in late-spring storms.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and accessibility for divers has not been documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hugh-coyne-us-42160″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Hugh Coyne is representative of the challenges faced by aging vessels carrying heavy cargo in adverse weather conditions. Further research into local archives may yield additional insights into her history and loss.
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 1864; lost May 8, 1877, Wooden scow‑schooner (33 tons), operating on Lake Erie
Vessel Details
- Official Number: 42160
- Built: 1864 by A. McLeod in Detroit, Michigan
- Type: Two‑masted scow‑schooner (~33 gross tons)
- Cargo at time of loss: 24 cords of building stone
Final Voyage & Loss — May 8, 1877
- Route: From Kelley’s Island (Stone quarry) bound for Detroit, Lake Erie
- Incident: Caught in a storm, the vessel sprung a leak and began to flood.
- The three-man crew took to the small boat, making landfall at Amherstburg, Ontario, 48 hours later, after a grueling journey.
- Casualties: None reported—all three crew members survived
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Hugh Coyne |
| Built | 1864, Detroit (A. McLeod) |
| Official Number | 42160 |
| Type & Tonnage | Scow‑schooner, ~33 gt |
| Cargo | 24 cords building stone |
| Loss Date | May 8, 1877 |
| Route | Kelley’s Island → Detroit |
| Loss Location | Lake Erie near North Harbor area |
| Cause of Loss | Storm‑induced leak and foundering |
| Crew & Casualties | 3 aboard; all survived |
| Rescue & Aftermath | Crew rowed to Amherstburg over 48 hours; vessel sank |
Historical Context & Notes
- Hugh Coyne was owned and captained by Hugh Coyne of Cleveland. She suffered progressive wear before her loss.
- The cargo of stone made the vessel low‑freeboard and vulnerable to flooding under stress.
- The crew’s survival by rowing for 2 days and nights reflects the perils of open‑boat operations in late‑spring storms on Lake Erie.
Research Recommendations
To develop further details:
- Local newspaper archives (May 1877, Cleveland, Detroit, Amherstburg) may carry accounts by rescued crew or dock records of intended delivery.
- Insurance ledgers under Official No. 42160, for valuation, loss details, or claims.
- Port registry records—Detroit or Cleveland, for ownership, census, and operational logs.
- Stone quarry manifests on Kelley’s Island for cargo documentation and frequency of stone-scow traffic.
Conclusion
The small scow-schooner Hugh Coyne (33 gt), loaded with building stone, foundered in a storm off Lake Erie on May 8, 1877 after developing a leak. The three-man crew survived by abandoning ship and rowing to Amherstburg, Ontario over 48 hours. Her loss is typical of stone‑laden ballast barges overwhelmed by weather and aging hulls.
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