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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lena Behm
- Official No.: 140840
- Built: 1886, by F. Behm at Grand Haven, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner, approximately 59 ft × 16 ft × 6 ft, 34 GRT/32 NRT
- Loss Date: December 31, 1900
- Location: Offshore near Port Hope, Ontario, on Lake Huron
- Casualties: No reported injuries or fatalities
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Incident & Disposition
- While underway in mid‑Lake Huron waters, Lena Behm caught fire well offshore.
- The blaze quickly led to her destruction, with the vessel reportedly burning to a crisp and sinking.
- The enrollment certificate was formally surrendered at Port Huron on December 31, 1900, marking her official loss.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel History & Role
- Built in 1886 for Great Lakes freight trade, likely transporting general cargo and supplies along Lake Michigan and Huron.
- She served for about 14 years before her sudden end, with no further maintenance or significant rebuild noted.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Ownership & Registry Timeline – Construct a history via enrollment papers and customs logs from 1886–1900 (Detroit/Buffalo/Port Huron records).
- Crew & Command Identity – Names and roles of captain and crew are not yet documented.
- Cargo Details – Commercial freight logs or customs documents may note her last cargo or itinerary.
- Fire Causation & Response – No records identified of ignition source or firefighting efforts; local newspapers or inquests could offer clues.
- Survivor Accounts – Lack of crew testimonies or life-saving service involvement; news archives may contain local eyewitness reports.
Wreck & Field Survey Prospects
- Likely Wreck Area: Shallow to moderate depth off Port Hope harbor; fire likely consumed timber, leaving a debris field of iron fasteners, metal fittings, possible anchors.
- Remains: May include charred hull plates, machinery components, or cargo fragments—potentially buried under lakefall sediment.
- Survey Approach:
- Historical chart overlay to determine vessel bearings and drifting.
- Side-scan sonar and magnetometer sweep of nearshore area off Port Hope.
- Targeted dives to locate iron fittings or hull remains.
Historical Significance
- The Lena Behm exemplifies small-scale, mid‑19th-century wooden freight schooners active in late-19th-century Great Lakes commerce.
- Her rapid demise due to fire at sea emphasizes the continual risk of onboard combustion for wooden vessels carrying flammable cargo or materials.
- Surveying her wreck could yield valuable insights into small schooner construction, onboard fire preservation measures, and early 20th-century life-saving procedures.
Recommended Research & Next Steps
- Archive Outreach: Seek vessel enrolment, crew manifests, and customs logs from 1886–1900.
- Newspaper Investigation: Check late December 1900/early January 1901 editions of Port Hope and Port Colborne papers for fire incident accounts.
- Field Survey Prep: Plan preliminary sonar/magnetometer survey with Ontario Ministry of Heritage staff or local dive experts.