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.
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.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: None confirmed
Official Number: Not recorded
Registry: U.S., Lake Erie schooner trade
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, two-masted
Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
Year Built: 1821
Dimensions: ~47 feet length
Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: Stone / limestone boulders
Date of Loss: Late September – early October 1829
Location: Off Kelleys Island, Lake Erie
Coordinates: Not published
Depth: Partially buried, unknown exact depth
Home Port: Cleveland, Ohio
Owners: Unknown
Master: Capt. Ezra Wright
Crew: At least two
Casualties: Two confirmed (Ezra and Robert Wright)
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.
Final Dispositions
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.
Located By & Date Found
Discovered in 2015 by Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE) via sidescan sonar. Divers found a small schooner matching Lake Serpent’s design, cargo, and the serpent figurehead. Location: offshore of Kelleys Island.
Notmars & Advisories
None published.
Dive Information
Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Kelleys Island region
Conditions: Partially buried wreck, variable visibility
Depth Range: Undisclosed
Emergency Contacts: USCG District 9
Permits: Required for excavation
Dive Support: CLUE, National Museum of the Great Lakes
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Captain Ezra Wright and Robert Wright perished; no other crew named. No known grave markers found. Further genealogical research recommended via Find A Grave.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The Cleveland Weekly Herald reported on October 8, 1829, that the ship had left four weeks ago to get stone at Put-in-Bay and had not been heard from.” — Smithsonian Magazine
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No registry number or insurance file found in digitized records. Built prior to standardized vessel enrollment practices. No known ownership records published.
Site Documentation & Imaging
CLUE used sonar and diver examination in 2015 to identify wreck. Structural features, limestone cargo, and ornamental carving support the tentative ID. Excavation of the bow section is planned.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE)
- Smithsonian Magazine Feature
- National Museum of the Great Lakes: Identification Support
- Find A Grave
References
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None known
Official Number: Not recorded
Coordinates: Not published
Depth: Partially buried; unknown exact
Location Description: Off Kelleys Island, Lake Erie
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: ~47 feet
Condition: Partial hull; buried under sediment
Cause of Loss: Unknown; likely weather-related
Discovery Date: 2015
Discovered By: Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE)
Method: Sidescan sonar and diver inspection
Legal Notes: Pending further survey and identification
Hazards: None published
Permits Required: Yes (for recovery)