Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

John J. Barlum (1890)

Explore the wreck of the JOHN J. BARLUM, a schooner barge that sank in Lake Erie in 1922. A dive site rich in history and remnants of Great Lakes transportation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: JOHN J. BARLUM
  • Type: Schooner Barge
  • Year Built: 1890
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Dimensions: Length: 222 ft (67.7 m); Beam: Not specified; Depth: Not specified
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,184 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 15 m / 45 ft
  • Location: Near Marblehead, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: 41°32.40’N, 82°38.30’W
  • Original Owners: H. J. Webb & Co.; Richardson Transportation Co.; Algoma Central Railway Co.; Pringle Barge Line Co.
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The JOHN J. BARLUM was a schooner barge, a type of vessel designed to be towed by steamers. These vessels retained the traditional schooner rigging, which allowed them to use their sails when necessary. The BARLUM was a large example of its type, purpose-built to transport heavy cargo across the Great Lakes.

Description

The JOHN J. BARLUM was built in 1890 with a gross tonnage of 1,184 tons. It was launched on October 12, 1890, and primarily used for transporting goods under tow by steamers like the KITTIE M. FORBES.

History

Ownership and Service: The ownership of the JOHN J. BARLUM changed hands several times throughout its service. In 1892, it was transferred to H. J. Webb & Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. By 1894, it was acquired by Richardson Transportation Co., which towed the vessel with the steamer ROUMANIA until 1900. In 1901, it was purchased by the Algoma Central Railway Co. in Sault St. Marie, Ontario, and in 1911, it was acquired by the Pringle Barge Line Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.

Significant Incidents

  • 1891: Damaged by heavy seas in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1898: Became disabled and underwent repairs in Duluth, Minnesota.

Final Disposition

On September 18, 1922, the JOHN J. BARLUM foundered near Marblehead, Ohio, in Lake Erie during adverse conditions, sinking approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from the entrance to Sandusky Harbor. All six crew members aboard survived. In May 1923, the wreck was cleared to a depth of 30 feet below the low water datum to eliminate hazards to navigation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Wreck Location: Near Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie. Visibility: Water conditions in Lake Erie may vary; visibility is influenced by weather, sediment, and algae blooms. Points of Interest: The wreck may include remnants of the wooden hull and scattered artifacts. Due to its removal and clearance for navigation, the remains may be fragmented or buried under sediment.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-j-barlum-1890″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The JOHN J. BARLUM is a prime example of the evolution of Great Lakes transportation, reflecting the transition from sail-powered schooners to steam-powered towing systems. Its history highlights the robust operations of schooner barges in the Great Lakes’ busy shipping lanes. The loss of the vessel also illustrates the challenges of navigating Lake Erie, with its unpredictable weather and shallow waters.

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.

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: JOHN J. BARLUM
  • Type: Schooner Barge
  • Year Built: 1890
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Construction: Wooden hull
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 222 feet (67.7 meters)
    • Beam: Not specified
    • Depth: Not specified
  • Tonnage:
    • Gross: 1,184 tons
  • Final Location: Near Marblehead, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: 41°32.40’N, 82°38.30’W
  • Depth: 45 feet (15 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The JOHN J. BARLUM was a schooner barge, a type of vessel designed to be towed by steamers. These vessels retained the traditional schooner rigging, which allowed them to use their sails when necessary. The BARLUM was a large example of its type, purpose-built to transport heavy cargo across the Great Lakes.

History

Construction and Launch

  • Built in 1890, the JOHN J. BARLUM was a significant vessel with a gross tonnage of 1,184 tons.
  • Launched on October 12, 1890, it was initially used for transporting goods, typically under tow by steamers like the KITTIE M. FORBES.

Ownership and Service

  • 1892: Ownership transferred to H. J. Webb & Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1894: Acquired by Richardson Transportation Co., which towed the vessel with the steamer ROUMANIA until 1900.
  • 1901: Purchased by the Algoma Central Railway Co., Sault St. Marie, Ontario.
  • 1911: Acquired by the Pringle Barge Line Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

Incidents

  • 1891: Damaged by heavy seas in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1898: Became disabled and underwent repairs in Duluth, Minnesota.

Final Voyage

On September 18, 1922, the JOHN J. BARLUM foundered near Marblehead, Ohio, in Lake Erie during adverse conditions. The schooner sank approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from the entrance to Sandusky Harbor.

  • Casualties: All six crew members aboard survived.
  • Wreck Removal: In May 1923, the wreck was cleared to a depth of 30 feet below the low water datum to eliminate hazards to navigation.

Current Condition

Wreck Location: Near Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie.

Visibility: Water conditions in Lake Erie may vary; visibility is influenced by weather, sediment, and algae blooms.

Points of Interest:

  • The wreck may include remnants of the wooden hull and scattered artifacts.
  • Due to its removal and clearance for navigation, the remains may be fragmented or buried under sediment.

Significance

The JOHN J. BARLUM is a prime example of the evolution of Great Lakes transportation, reflecting the transition from sail-powered schooners to steam-powered towing systems. Its history highlights the robust operations of schooner barges in the Great Lakes’ busy shipping lanes. The loss of the vessel also illustrates the challenges of navigating Lake Erie, with its unpredictable weather and shallow waters.

References & External Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Great Lakes Ships Database
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • Bowling Green State University Historic Vessel Index
  • Toledo Shipbuilding Master List: Institute for Great Lakes Research, Perrysburg, Ohio.
  • Lake Erie Wrecks Database

Tags

JOHN J. BARLUM, Schooner Barge, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime History, Marblehead Shipwreck, Sandusky Harbor, Pringle Barge Line.

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