L.L. Lamb – Lake Erie Schooner Shipwreck (1902)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: L.L. Lamb
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1869
• Builder: H. Williams
• Dimensions: 120.3 ft (36.7 m) X 26.1 ft (7.96 m); Depth: 10.7 ft (3.26 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 253 tons (gross); 241 tons (net)
• Depth at Wreck Site: 8.5 m / 28 ft
• Location: Off Fairport, Ohio
• Official Number: 15609
• Original Owners: Various, including Carroll Brothers, George Green
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• Type: Schooner
• Rigging: Full fore-and-aft rigged
• Hull Material: Wood
• Decks: 1
• Masts: 2

Description

• Builder: H. Williams
• Length: 120.3 ft (36.7 m)
• Beam: 26.1 ft (7.96 m)
• Depth: 10.7 ft (3.26 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 253 tons
• Net Tonnage: 241 tons

History

• 1869 (Jun 4): Completed her maiden voyage.
• 1871: Owned by Carroll Brothers, Erie, PA.
• 1871 (Nov 2): Involved in a collision with the schooner City of Painesville at Port Huron.
• 1875: Rebuilt in Oswego, NY.
• 1876–1887: Passed through several owners including Gillett & Hall (Detroit), H. Howard (Port Huron), John Buzzard (Port Huron), and Otis Joslyn.
• 1881–1882: Operated under tow with City of Concord and Rhoda Stewart, carrying salt and lumber.
• 1886 (Jul): Assisted in recovery of wrecked steamer Algoma‘s machinery off Isle Royale, MI.
• 1887 (Apr): Burned with a cargo of hay at Fitzgerald’s dock on the St. Clair River; subsequently repaired.
• 1893: Owned by George Green of Port Huron; became waterlogged in Saginaw Bay.
• 1902 (Aug 16): Foundered in heavy seas while in tow of the steamer McCormick; crew rescued.

Significant Incidents

• Collision with the schooner City of Painesville in 1871.
• Burned at Fitzgerald’s dock in 1887.
• Waterlogged in Saginaw Bay in 1893.
• Foundered in heavy seas in 1902 while under tow.

Final Disposition

L.L. Lamb was lost in a heavy sea while under tow, carrying a cargo of stone. Despite the foundering, all crew members were rescued by the McCormick. The schooner came to rest in 28 feet (8.5 metres) of water off Fairport, OH.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No publicly documented rediscovery or diving report is currently available for the wreck of the L.L. Lamb.

Resources & Links

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The L.L. Lamb exemplifies the transition era of Great Lakes schooners moving from sail to steam tow service. Despite multiple rebuilds, fires, and other incidents, she remained active for over three decades, a testament to the durability of her wooden construction. Her foundering off Fairport, OH marks the end of a long and varied career that also included salvage support operations on Lake Superior.