Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.R. Crowe
- Type: Wooden propeller steam barge
- Year Built: Unknown (active 1870–1873)
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length 96 ft (29.26 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Driven ashore at night, about a boat’s length from Leamington dock, Lake Erie, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Propeller Steam Barge, 1870–1873
Description
The J.R. Crowe was a wooden propeller steam barge that operated on the Great Lakes, primarily transporting cargo such as stone.
History
In a violent overnight storm, fully laden with stone, J.R. Crowe was driven ashore at Leamington. The gale’s strength pushed her onto shallow nearshore shoals, where waves battered the hull, ultimately causing the barge to break apart despite rescue and salvage efforts.
Significant Incidents
- October 24, 1873: Driven ashore during a storm, resulting in total loss.
Final Disposition
- Declared a total wreck after continuous wave damage.
- Crew remained safe; no loss of life recorded.
- Ownership records managed to remain active until 1898, suggesting no salvage and formal abandonment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the J.R. Crowe is considered a total loss, with the hull abandoned due to extensive damage from waves.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-r-crowe-1870″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the J.R. Crowe serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by mid-19th-century steam-powered cargo vessels, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
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.
Wooden Propeller Steam Barge, 1870–1873
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.R. Crowe
- Type: Wooden propeller steam barge
- Length: 96 ft
- Cargo at Loss: Stone
- Date of Loss: October 24, 1873
- Location: Driven ashore at night, about a boat’s length from Leamington dock, Lake Erie, Ontario
- Casualties: None reported
- Noted In: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, under “Lake Erie Shipwreck Map – Alchem, Inc.”
(alcheminc.com)
Circumstances of Loss
In a violent overnight storm, fully laden with stone, J.R. Crowe was driven ashore at Leamington. The gale’s strength pushed her onto shallow nearshore shoals, where waves battered the hull, ultimately causing the barge to break apart despite rescue and salvage efforts.
(alcheminc.com)
Final Disposition & Rescue
- Declared a total wreck after continuous wave damage.
- Crew remained safe; no loss of life recorded.
- Ownership records managed to remain active until 1898, suggesting no salvage and formal abandonment.
(alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Historical Significance
- J.R. Crowe exemplifies mid-19th-century steam-powered cargo vessels transitioning to bulk-material freight.
- The wreck highlights the vulnerability of stone-laden barges to seasonal storms near harbor entrances and breakwaters.
Sources & References
- Archival wreck record: Lake Erie Shipwreck Map, Alchem, Inc.—”J R Crowe: Wooden propeller steam barge… driven ashore in a gale 10/24/1873… cargo of stone…”
(alcheminc.com)
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | Unknown (active 1870–1873) |
| Type | Wooden propeller steam barge |
| Cargo | Stone |
| Lost | Oct 24, 1873, Leamington, Lake Erie |
| Cause | Storm-driven grounding; wave damage |
| Crew | Safe evacuation |
| Wreck Status | Total loss; hull abandoned |
Suggested Research Directions
- Review October 1873 editions of the Leamington Post or Windsor Chronicle for incident reports or salvage notices.
- Investigate Canada Customs ledgers or marine insurance claims tied to stone-barge losses in the 1870s.
- Explore local historical society archives for survivor memoirs or early storm logs.