Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Libby
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Likely Cleveland or Detroit (exact yard not documented)
- Dimensions: Estimated length 98–108 ft (30–33 m); Beam approx. 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold not documented
- Registered Tonnage: Likely 220–250 tons
- Location: Lake Erie shore, likely near Toledo, Ohio
- Coordinates: Exact location uncharted
- Official Number: Unconfirmed
- Original Owners: Not documented
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A standard wooden schooner of the Great Lakes, the Libby was designed for bulk cargo — lumber, coal, grain — and relied on dockside loading and unloading with minimal steam-assist during manoeuvres.
Description
Built of white oak with iron fastenings, the Libby had a shallow-draft hull to allow navigation into rivers and harbours, which was typical of Lake Erie schooners in the 1870s. She would have featured a centreboard, two masts, and a simple deckhouse.
History
On 24 November 1872, the Libby was docked (records suggest possibly in or near Toledo, Ohio), when a severe storm struck. High winds broke her mooring lines, and she was torn from the dock and driven ashore by the gale.
The schooner was repeatedly smashed against the shoreline by large waves, eventually breaking apart completely. No loss of life was reported in contemporary newspaper accounts, as the crew was safely ashore at the time.
Significant Incidents
- 24 November 1872: The Libby was docked when a severe storm caused her to break free from her moorings and be driven ashore.
- The vessel was destroyed by the storm, breaking apart against the shoreline.
Final Disposition
The Libby was declared a total loss, wrecked beyond repair. No salvage of significant value was documented, and the hull was likely broken up or buried in sand near shore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern survey has located any surviving remains of the vessel. The shallow area where she was lost is presumed to have been redeveloped or naturally reclaimed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”libby-1872″ title=”References & Links”]
The Libby is a classic example of a schooner wrecked by sudden storms while moored — a frequent hazard on the Great Lakes in the 19th century, before modern breakwaters and fendering systems were widely installed. Her loss in 1872 reflects the vulnerability of docked wooden vessels to sudden gales.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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