Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L.H. Cotton (also recorded as L.H. Colton)
- Type: Wooden, 3-masted bark
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder: Quayle & Martin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ≈ 322 ft
- Location: Mouth of Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 14712
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th century wooden bark rigged ship, primarily used for transporting oil across the Great Lakes.
Description
L.H. Cotton was a substantial wooden bark constructed in 1861, actively employed in transporting oil across Lake Erie. On October 24, 1875, she caught fire near the mouth of Cleveland Harbor, sank just off the pier, and was removed from navigational channels. Though earmarked for rebuilding, there’s no evidence this was ever conducted. No lives were lost.
History
- Commanded by Captain Cotton, likely the vessel’s namesake.
- Engaged in oil-carrying trade, with at least one voyage en route to Liverpool noted before her loss.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: October 24, 1875
- Location: Mouth of Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Incident: While laden with oil, the vessel caught fire, burned, and sank just 33 yards from the pier’s end. To avoid obstructing navigation, she was promptly towed aside after sinking.
- Casualties: No fatalities are reported.
- Aftermath: Although plans were made to rebuild L.H. Cotton, no subsequent records confirm that this occurred.
Final Disposition
The incident was recorded in shipwreck files with sources including wmn, hgl, mv, nsp (likely Western Maritime News, Historic Great Lakes, Marine Vessel registries, New Shipwreck Papers).
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is confirmed, but specific dive conditions and accessibility details are not provided.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-h-cotton-l-h-colton-us-14712″ title=”References & Links”]
To supplement understanding and close remaining gaps (insurance, crew names, cargo specifics, post-fire outcome), further research is recommended, including local newspaper archives and marine registers.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name(s): L.H. Cotton (also recorded as L.H. Colton)
- Official Number: 14712 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Build Year & Location: 1861, Cleveland, Ohio by Quayle & Martin (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type: Wooden, 3-masted bark
- Tonnage: ≈ 322 t (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th century wooden bark rigged ship, primarily used for transporting oil across the Great Lakes.
History & Operational Record
- Commanded by Captain Cotton, likely the vessel’s namesake (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Engaged in oil-carrying trade, with at least one voyage en route to Liverpool noted before her loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Date of Loss: October 24, 1875 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Location: Mouth of Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Incident: While laden with oil, the vessel caught fire, burned, and sank just 33 yards from the pier’s end. To avoid obstructing navigation, she was promptly towed aside after sinking (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Casualties: No fatalities are reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Aftermath: Although plans were made to rebuild L.H. Cotton, no subsequent records confirm that this occurred (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Documentation
- Incident recorded in shipwreck files with sources including wmn, hgl, mv, nsp (likely Western Maritime News, Historic Great Lakes, Marine Vessel registries, New Shipwreck Papers) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Noted Anecdote
- Intriguingly, L.H. Cotton caught fire and sank exactly seven years prior at the exact same location, also while en route to Liverpool with an oil cargo (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary
L.H. Cotton was a substantial wooden bark constructed in 1861, actively employed in transporting oil across Lake Erie. On October 24, 1875, she caught fire near the mouth of Cleveland Harbor, sank just off the pier, and was removed from navigational channels. Though earmarked for rebuilding, there’s no evidence this was ever conducted. No lives were lost.
Next Research Recommendations
To supplement understanding and close remaining gaps (insurance, crew names, cargo specifics, post-fire outcome):
- Local Newspapers (Oct–Nov 1875): Search Cleveland Leader, Plain Dealer, and Lake Shore News for detailed incident reporting and crew/cargo details.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files / HCGL Enrollment Records: Request crew manifests or official correspondence for vessel No. 14712.
- Marine Registers & Insurance Logs: Investigate whether the vessel was declared salvageable and subsequently rebuilt, possibly recorded in maritime insurance archives.
- Cleveland Harbor Commission Reports: Examine port authority logs for cleanup operations, obstruction reports, and disposal records.