Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Indiana
• Type: Barque
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam: Approximately 30 ft (9 m); Depth of hold: Estimated around 10 ft (3 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Approximately 12 miles off the coast of Erie, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: Exact coordinates not publicly disclosed
• Number of Masts: Three or more masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Indiana was a wooden barque, a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts, typically square-rigged on all but the aftermost mast. Barques were commonly used in the 19th century for long voyages due to their relatively simple rigging and efficient use of sails.

Length: Exact dimensions not specified, typical barque length ranged from 100 to 200 feet.
Beam: Approximately 30 feet (9 meters), based on similar vessels of the period.
Depth: Estimated around 10 feet (3 meters) in hold.
Construction: Wooden hull, reinforced for heavy cargo.
Cargo: Paving stones and flagging stones, intended for construction in downtown Cleveland.

Description

The Indiana sank approximately 12 miles off the coast of Erie, becoming a notable wreck site known as The Stone Wreck due to the massive amount of stone it was carrying. The heavy cargo, which contributed to the ship’s quick sinking, now forms a significant part of the wreckage on the lake bed. The wreck has since become a popular site for divers exploring Erie’s underwater heritage.

History

The Indiana was a working vessel engaged in the transport of heavy construction materials across the Great Lakes, a common trade during the period of rapid urban expansion in cities like Cleveland. In late September 1870, the Indiana set sail from Buffalo with a load of paving stones and flagging, bound for Cleveland. As the vessel journeyed westward, it encountered increasingly severe weather, prompting Captain McAdams to seek shelter at Port Maitland on the Grand River. Unable to find refuge there, the ship continued toward Long Point.

During this leg of the trip, the Indiana began to leak, and despite the crew’s best efforts, the pumps could not keep up with the incoming water. The situation worsened when a squall struck, pushing the ship further into the lake under heavy northeasterly winds. The heavy stone cargo compounded the ship’s difficulties, making emergency repairs impractical.

Realizing that the Indiana was beyond saving, Captain McAdams decided to abandon the ship and head for Erie. The crew took to the lifeboat and safely made it to shore. Meanwhile, the Indiana drifted with the wind until it eventually sank under the weight of its stone cargo around midnight.

Significant Incidents

• Late September 1870: The Indiana sank due to severe weather and leaking, abandoning ship after the crew could not manage the incoming water.

Final Disposition

The Indiana sank approximately 12 miles off the coast of Erie, becoming a notable wreck site known as The Stone Wreck due to the massive amount of stone it was carrying. The heavy cargo, which contributed to the ship’s quick sinking, now forms a significant part of the wreckage on the lake bed. The wreck has since become a popular site for divers exploring Erie’s underwater heritage.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is heavily deteriorated, with much of the structure collapsed under the weight of its cargo. Divers are advised to exercise caution due to the site’s condition, particularly the unstable nature of the wreckage and the heavy stone cargo that remains.

Resources & Links

The Indiana, or The Stone Wreck, serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Its story, from a routine transport mission to a desperate struggle against the elements, is emblematic of the many ships that met their end in these unpredictable waters. Today, the wreck continues to draw interest from divers and historians alike, offering a tangible connection to the maritime history of the region.