Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lena Behm
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1886
- Builder: F. Behm at Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 59 ft (18 m); Beam; Depth of hold 6 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 34 GRT / 32 NRT
- Location: Offshore near Port Hope, Ontario
- Official Number: 140840
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Lena Behm is classified as a wooden two-masted schooner, a common vessel type used for freight transport on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
Description
Built in 1886, the Lena Behm measured approximately 59 feet in length, with a registered tonnage of 34 gross tons and 32 net tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting general cargo and supplies across Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
History
The Lena Behm served in the Great Lakes freight trade for about 14 years before her loss. There are no records indicating significant maintenance or rebuilds during her service life.
Significant Incidents
- On December 31, 1900, while underway in mid-Lake Huron, the Lena Behm caught fire well offshore.
- The fire quickly led to her destruction, with the vessel reportedly burning completely before sinking.
- The enrollment certificate was formally surrendered at Port Huron on the same day, marking her official loss.
Final Disposition
The Lena Behm was lost due to a fire that consumed the vessel while it was at sea. The wreck is believed to be located in shallow to moderate depths off Port Hope harbor.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely to contain a debris field of iron fasteners, metal fittings, and possibly anchors, with remains that may include charred hull plates and machinery components, potentially buried under sediment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lena-behm-us-140840″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lena Behm serves as a significant example of mid-19th-century wooden freight schooners and highlights the risks associated with onboard fires for vessels carrying flammable materials.
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