Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Keefer
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1830
- Builder: Oakville, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 110 tons
- Location: On the reef near the south pier of Erie Harbor
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: None recorded
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
Description
Description
The Keefer was a wooden schooner built in 1830, primarily used for transporting cargo such as coal. It was approximately 110 tons in size and had no recorded official number.
History
History
The Keefer was constructed in Oakville, Ontario, and served in the Great Lakes trade for several years before its loss in 1855. It was engaged in transporting coal from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Toronto at the time of its sinking.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On November 3, 1855, the Keefer departed Erie, Pennsylvania, bound for Toronto with a cargo of coal.
- Shortly after departure, the vessel encountered a sudden gale, which drove it onto a reef near the south pier of Erie Harbor.
- The ship bilged and was subsequently pounded to pieces at the reef edge. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the crew successfully abandoned the wreck.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Keefer was left broken and dismantled on-site in shallow water. It remained there until it was either salvaged or destroyed by waves and tidal forces. No formal archaeological surveys have been documented for the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Keefer is located on the reef near the south pier of Erie Harbor. Its condition is poor, as it has been broken apart and remains exposed to the elements.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”keefer-koefer-j-c-keefer-1830″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Keefer represents an early example of wooden schooners in the Great Lakes trade. Its loss during a gale underscores the dangers faced by vessels navigating the region’s waters, particularly during inclement weather.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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