Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Louie O’Neill (1862)

Explore the wreck of the Louie O’Neill, a wooden schooner lost in 1887 after a collision during a gale on Lake Erie. All crew survived the ordeal.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Louie O’Neill
  • Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Lake Erie, between Conneaut and Cleveland
  • Original Owners: Robert Holland, Marine City (as of 1887)
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden two-masted schooner, used in bulk cargo and tow service.

Description

The Louie O’Neill was a wooden schooner built in 1862. It was primarily utilized for transporting bulk cargo and towing services.

History

Owned by Robert Holland of Marine City as of 1887, the Louie O’Neill was part of a convoy of schooners when it met its fate.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: April 29, 1887
  • Location: Lake Erie, during a severe spring gale
  • Circumstances: The Louie O’Neill was in tow behind the tug V. Swain, part of a convoy including the Thomas L. Parker. During the gale, she collided with the Parker.
  • Outcome: Following the collision, the O’Neill foundered. The entire crew survived, escaping in the yawl and reaching Conneaut after approximately 60 hours in harsh conditions.

Final Disposition

The Louie O’Neill was declared a constructive total loss due to foundering post-collision. No further salvage or wreck location has been recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The exact wreck site remains unspecified, likely located between Conneaut and Cleveland. Depth and position of sinking are unknown.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”louie-oneill-1862″ title=”References & Links”]

The Louie O’Neill was lost on April 29, 1887, after colliding with the schooner Thomas L. Parker in a gale while under tow on Lake Erie. The collision caused her to founder, but the entire crew survived a 60-hour ordeal and reached Conneaut in her yawl.

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.

(wooden schooner, built 1862)

Identification & Vessel Information

Final Incident: April 29, 1887

  • Date: April 29, 1887
  • Location: Lake Erie, during a severe spring gale
  • Circumstances:
    The Louie O’Neill was in tow behind the tug V. Swain, part of a convoy of schooners including the Thomas L. Parker. During the gale, she collided with the Parker.
  • Outcome:
    Following the collision, the O’Neill foundered. The entire crew managed to survive, escaping in the yawl and reaching Conneaut after approximately 60 hours in harsh conditions (marshcollection.org, historicnewspapers.sc.edu, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Casualties & Cargo

  • Crew: Six aboard; all survived
  • Cargo: Coal — the vessel was light (“light coal”)
  • Loss: Declared a constructive total loss due to foundering post-collision

Source Citations

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files describe the collision with Thomas L. Parker, towing convoy under V. Swain, crew escape and loss declaration (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, USCG History)
  • Newspaper record dated May 18, 1887 provides a brief summary of collision circumstances and survivor rescue (historicnewspapers.sc.edu)

Gaps & Research Opportunities

  • Exact wreck site: Depth and position of sinking remain unspecified—likely between Conneaut and Cleveland.
  • Crew identities & condition: May be reconstructed via Conneaut or Marine City newspapers and registry logs.
  • Weather analysis: Detailed logs from April 28–30, 1887 could contextualize the gale’s severity.
  • Tow operation plans: Tug V. Swain‘s logs may contain instructions and collision report.

Summary

The Louie O’Neill was lost on April 29, 1887, after colliding with the schooner Thomas L. Parker in a gale while under tow on Lake Erie. The collision caused her to founder, but the entire crew survived a 60-hour ordeal and reached Conneaut in her yawl. A total constructive loss was declared, though no further salvage or wreck location has been recorded.

louie-oneill-1862 1887-04-29 15:06:00