Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L. Seaton
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Reed & Sons shipyard, Henderson, New York
- Dimensions: 121 ft (36.88 m) length × 26 ft beam × 11 ft depth; 233 GRT / 221 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 233 GRT / 221 NRT
- Location: Long Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 15948
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The L. Seaton was a wooden schooner primarily used for package freight and passenger transport on Lake Erie.
Description
Built in 1872 at Reed & Sons shipyard in Henderson, New York, the L. Seaton measured 121 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 11 feet. It was registered at 233 gross registered tons (GRT) and 221 net registered tons (NRT).
History
The L. Seaton operated as a packet schooner, a type of vessel that was becoming increasingly rare by the late 19th century. It was engaged in transporting freight and passengers across Lake Erie.
Significant Incidents
- On November 12, 1892, the L. Seaton sought refuge in a lee harbor during a storm when its anchor chains failed under heavy seas.
- It was driven ashore near Long Point, where it briefly remained upright before being pounded to pieces by the waves, resulting in a total loss.
- Crew survival is implied though unreported; no fatalities are recorded in surviving sources.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the L. Seaton was declared a total loss after being driven ashore and destroyed by the storm. The exact details of the wreck’s aftermath remain unclear.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located at Long Point, Lake Erie, characterized by a shallow, long sand spit shoreline. Likely remains include distributed wood debris and fastener scatter in the surf zone, with deeper remains possibly existing offshore due to shifting sands.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-seaton-us-15948″ title=”References & Links”]
Exploration of the L. Seaton wreck site could provide valuable insights into late-schooner construction practices and the risks associated with anchor failure during severe weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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