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.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: Keefer (also spelled Koefer or J. C. Keefer)
- Built: 1830, Oakville, Ontario
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Official Number: None recorded
- Tonnage: Approximately 110 tons
- Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
Final Voyage & Loss – November 3, 1855, Lake Erie
- Keefer departed Erie, Pennsylvania, bound for Toronto, carrying a cargo of coal.
- Shortly after leaving the harbor, she was driven onto the reef near the south pier during a sudden gale, bilged (irrevocably leaking), and soon pounded to pieces at the reef edge.
- No casualties were reported; the crew successfully abandoned the wrecked vessel. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, NOAA Institutional Repository, NPGallery)
Wreck Site & Physical Condition
- Location: On the reef near the south pier of Erie Harbor
- Condition: The vessel was left broken and dismantled, remaining on-site in shallow water until salvaged or destroyed by waves and tidal forces. No formal archaeological surveys have been documented.
Sources & Archival Basis
- Entry for Keefer (1830–1855) in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“K” section) provides full contextual detail of build date, loss cause, cargo, and aftermath (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Gaps & Proposed Next Steps
| Focus Area | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Build & Ownership Records | Search early Ontario ship registries for builder details and registration info from Oakville circa 1830. |
| Crew & Command | Investigate 1855 Erie newspapers (e.g., Erie Gazette) for crew lists and first-hand loss accounts. |
| Meteorological Data | Retrieve 1855 Lake Erie storm records to understand the gale’s severity and quick onset. |
| Wreck Assessment | Consider side-scan sonar of the pier’s reef zone to assess any residual debris, timbers, or artifacts. |
Historical & Archaeological Significance
As a very early wooden schooner built in 1830, Keefer embodies the formative decades of Great Lakes sail commerce. Her loss within Erie Harbor highlights the persistent risk of early harbor navigation amid sudden winter storms. Though unremarkable as a wreck, she offers valuable insights into boatbuilding techniques at Oakville and mid-century harbor operations.
keefer-koefer-j-c-keefer-1830 1855-11-03 15:48:00