Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lake Serpent
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1821
- Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~47 feet length
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Off Kelleys Island, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not published
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Lake Serpent was a wooden schooner, characterized by its two-masted design, built for the transportation of stone and limestone across Lake Erie.
Description
Lake Serpent was a small, early 19th-century schooner built in 1821 in Cleveland. It was designed for local stone freight across Lake Erie, likely operating between island quarries and mainland ports. Survey findings support a 47-foot, two-masted wooden design, with a distinctive carved serpent-head figurehead reportedly visible at the bow.
History
Lake Serpent was engaged in hauling limestone or quarried rock from Put-in-Bay or nearby islands to Cleveland. On her final voyage in late September 1829, she failed to return. The Cleveland Weekly Herald of October 8, 1829 noted she had been missing for weeks. Shortly after, the bodies of Capt. Ezra Wright and his brother Robert were recovered on Lorain County beaches.
Significant Incidents
- Lake Serpent was reported missing in early October 1829 after failing to return from a stone hauling trip.
- The bodies of Captain Ezra Wright and his brother Robert were later recovered, confirming the loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
The vessel is believed to have been overwhelmed by weather or capsized under cargo stress. The discovery of crew remains confirmed her loss. No survivors or distress reports are known. Her wreck remained unlocated for nearly 200 years.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is partially buried and remains unexcavated, with variable visibility reported. Access is by boat only, and permits are required for excavation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lake-serpent” title=”References & Links”]
Lake Serpent represents an important piece of maritime history in the Great Lakes region, with ongoing research and exploration efforts aimed at uncovering more about its past and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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