Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. W. Sargent
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Circa 200–250 tons
- Location: Near Cleveland–Erie corridor
- Original Owners: Based in Tonawanda/Buffalo, NY
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Identity & Construction
- Build Year: 1855 (enrollment registered then); records indicate a rebuild or re-registration in 1858
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer (package freighter/wood carrier)
- Home Port / Owner: Based in Tonawanda/Buffalo, NY
- Gross Tonnage: Circa 200–250 tons (estimated from similar vessels of the period)
Description
Final Incident — November 30, 1872
- Event: Caught in a storm with ice conditions, J. W. Sargent encountered severe stress. She had previously grounded in September of the same year.
- Final Loss: Sank on November 30, 1872, during the storm. Crew was rescued—no casualties reported.
- Route: Bound from Cleveland to Erie, carrying coal.
History
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Built / Registered | 1855 (re-entered registry in 1858) |
| Vessel Type | Wooden propeller steamer |
| Main Cargo at Loss | Coal |
| Loss Date | November 30, 1872 |
| Location | Near Cleveland–Erie corridor (Lake Erie) |
| Cause | Storm with ice; compromised hull |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Previous Incident | Grounded in September 1872 near same route |
Significant Incidents
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
- Newspaper Archives (Late 1872)
- Explore Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erie Gazette, Niagara Fall Gazette for reports on grounding (Sep) and sinking (Nov).
- Registry & Enrollment Documents
- Check Buffalo/Tonawanda shipping records to confirm registry entries, tonnage, ownership, and subsequent abandonments.
- Steamboat Inspection Service Files
- May contain hull details, inspection reports, and cause-of-loss reports—particularly regarding grounding and leak conditions.
- Hydrographic & Weather Data
- NOAA (or Environment Canada) logs for Lake Erie storms and freezing conditions around November 1872 to frame weather context.
- Insurance & Salvage Records
- Potential underwriter or harbor logs for attempted recovery post-grounding and final abandonment.
Final Disposition
Potential Focus Points for Deep Dive
Would you like me to help with any of the following?
- Retrieve Sep–Nov 1872 newspaper clippings covering J. W. Sargent incidents
- Locate Buffalo registry/enrollment logs confirming vessel specifications and ownership
- Access Steamboat Inspection Service records for hull and loss inspection archives
- Fetch historic weather and Lake Erie storm reports from that time
- Investigate insurance or harbor salvage files for financial and recovery details
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the J. W. Sargent is located in Lake Erie, but specific details regarding its current condition and accessibility for divers are not documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-w-sargent-1855″ title=”References & Links”]
The J. W. Sargent serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Further research may uncover more about its history and the circumstances surrounding its 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.
Vessel Identity & Construction
- Build Year: 1855 (enrollment registered then); records indicate a rebuild or re-registration in 1858
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer (package freighter/wood carrier)
- Home Port / Owner: Based in Tonawanda/Buffalo, NY
- Gross Tonnage: Circa 200–250 tons (estimated from similar vessels of the period)
Final Incident — November 30, 1872 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Event: Caught in a storm with ice conditions, J. W. Sargent encountered severe stress. She had previously grounded in September of the same year.
- Final Loss: Sank on November 30, 1872, during the storm. Crew was rescued—no casualties reported.
- Route: Bound from Cleveland to Erie, carrying coal.
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Built / Registered | 1855 (re-entered registry in 1858) |
| Vessel Type | Wooden propeller steamer |
| Main Cargo at Loss | Coal |
| Loss Date | November 30, 1872 |
| Location | Near Cleveland–Erie corridor (Lake Erie) |
| Cause | Storm with ice; compromised hull |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Previous Incident | Grounded in September 1872 near same route |
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
- Newspaper Archives (Late 1872)
- Explore Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erie Gazette, Niagara Fall Gazette for reports on grounding (Sep) and sinking (Nov).
- Registry & Enrollment Documents
- Check Buffalo/Tonawanda shipping records to confirm registry entries, tonnage, ownership, and subsequent abandonments.
- Steamboat Inspection Service Files
- May contain hull details, inspection reports, and cause-of-loss reports—particularly regarding grounding and leak conditions.
- Hydrographic & Weather Data
- NOAA (or Environment Canada) logs for Lake Erie storms and freezing conditions around November 1872 to frame weather context.
- Insurance & Salvage Records
- Potential underwriter or harbor logs for attempted recovery post-grounding and final abandonment.
Potential Focus Points for Deep Dive
Would you like me to help with any of the following?
- Retrieve Sep–Nov 1872 newspaper clippings covering J. W. Sargent incidents
- Locate Buffalo registry/enrollment logs confirming vessel specifications and ownership
- Access Steamboat Inspection Service records for hull and loss inspection archives
- Fetch historic weather and Lake Erie storm reports from that time
- Investigate insurance or harbor salvage files for financial and recovery details