King Fisher – Lake Erie Schooner Shipwreck (1905)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: KING FISHER
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: East Saginaw, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length 120 ft (36.58 m); Beam 26 ft; Depth of hold 9.5 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 193 tons
• Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The KING FISHER was a two-masted wooden schooner built in the post-Civil War era, a time when schooners were the workhorses of the Great Lakes. These vessels were primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, and lumber. The KING FISHER, like many schooners of its time, was designed for maximum cargo capacity with a relatively shallow draft, making it ideal for navigating the often treacherous and shallow waters of the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in East Saginaw, Michigan, in 1867, the KING FISHER spent nearly four decades navigating the Great Lakes. The schooner was engaged in various trade routes, often transporting goods between major ports on the lakes.

History

On October 20, 1905, the KING FISHER was caught in a severe storm while en route to Cleveland. The storm was one of the most ferocious in recent memory, affecting much of the Great Lakes region, particularly Lake Erie and Lake Huron. The KING FISHER, along with several other vessels, was overwhelmed by the storm’s intensity. Despite the crew’s efforts to save the vessel, the KING FISHER was driven ashore near Cleveland, Ohio. The schooner was beaten to pieces by the relentless waves and high winds. Fortunately, all crew members managed to escape the wreck, although the schooner was a total loss.

Significant Incidents

• The KING FISHER was wrecked and destroyed near Cleveland, Ohio, on October 20, 1905.
• The storm that caused the wreck was responsible for multiple other maritime disasters on the Great Lakes, making it a particularly notorious event in the region’s maritime history.
• The remains of the schooner were scattered along the shoreline, with no significant salvage efforts recorded.

Final Disposition

The KING FISHER was wrecked and destroyed near Cleveland, Ohio, on October 20, 1905. The storm that caused the wreck was responsible for multiple other maritime disasters on the Great Lakes, making it a particularly notorious event in the region’s maritime history. The remains of the schooner were scattered along the shoreline, with no significant salvage efforts recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage of the KING FISHER is no longer a navigational hazard as the remains were scattered and eventually cleared from the shoreline. There are no current advisories related to the KING FISHER wreck on navigational charts.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”king-fisher-1867″ title=”References & Links”]

The KING FISHER’s tragic end is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy months when sudden gales could quickly turn a routine voyage into a fight for survival. Although the schooner was a total loss, the survival of its crew is a testament to their resilience and the harsh realities of maritime life in the early 20th century.