Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: M. O. Keys
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Likely in Marblehead, OH
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Deep water off northern Ohio coast
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
Built: 1874 (likely in Marblehead, OH)
Operational Route: Kelleys Island → Lakeside (now Lakeside Marblehead), Lake Erie
Cargo on Final Voyage: Stone (likely ballast or small stone cargo)
Description
The M. O. Keys was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1874, primarily operating between Kelleys Island and Lakeside, Ohio. On its final voyage, it was carrying stone, likely for ballast or small cargo.
History
On October 8, 1884, the M. O. Keys encountered a severe mid-autumn storm while sailing from Kelleys Island toward Lakeside, Ohio. The vessel sprang a leak and foundered during the gale, sinking in deep water. All three crew members aboard were rescued, and no casualties were reported.
Significant Incidents
- October 8, 1884: The M. O. Keys foundered during a storm on Lake Erie while carrying stone cargo.
Final Disposition
The vessel sank in Lake Erie, and there are no records of salvage or buoy recovery. The exact location of the wreck remains unrecorded, and no dive or remote-sensing expeditions have identified the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the M. O. Keys wreck is unknown, as it has not been located. It is presumed to be in deep water off the northern Ohio coast.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”m-o-keys-1874″ title=”References & Links”]
The M. O. Keys serves as a testament to the dangers faced by small wooden schooners carrying heavy cargo during late-season storms on Lake Erie, highlighting the ongoing use of sail-powered vessels into the 1880s.
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.
Schooner M. O. Keys (built 1874 – lost October 8, 1884)
Identification & Build
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Built: 1874 (likely in Marblehead, OH)
- Operational Route: Kelleys Island → Lakeside (now Lakeside Marblehead), Lake Erie
- Cargo on Final Voyage: Stone (likely ballast or small stone cargo)
Final Voyage & Loss – October 8, 1884
- Route: Sailing from stone quarries on Kelleys Island toward Lakeside, OH
- Incident: Encountered a severe mid‑autumn storm on Lake Erie
- Outcome: Sprang a leak and foundered during the gale, sinking in deep water
- Crew: 3 aboard — all rescued; no casualties reported
Aftermath & Wreck Status
- The vessel sank in Lake Erie; no records of salvage or buoy recovery exist
- Location: Deep water off northern Ohio coast; exact site remains unrecorded
- No dive or remote‑sensing expeditions have identified the wreck
Significance & Context
- Reflects the persistent danger to small wooden schooners carrying heavy cargo during late-season Lake Erie storms
- Highlights the continuing use of sail-powered freight vessels into the 1880s, even as steam was becoming dominant
- Strengthens historical understanding of trade patterns and seasonal risks around Kelleys Island marble and limestone transport
Research & Exploration Opportunities
| Focus Area | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Press Reports | Search Cleveland Leader and Lakeside-area newspapers (Oct 1884) for wreck accounts, weather, and crew rescue details |
| Registry & Enrollment Files | Obtain enrollment entry (1874) to verify owners, dimensions, and design specifications |
| Wreck Site Survey | Plan side-scan sonar/magnetometer surveys off Lakeside or near Kelleys Island quarry grounds—likely in 15–50 ft of water |
| Dive Investigation | If anomalies are found, conduct dives to assess hull remains and gather artifact data |
Summary
- Name: M. O. Keys
- Built: 1874, wooden schooner
- Lost: Oct 8, 1884 – foundered during storm (stone cargo)
- Casualties: None — 3 crew rescued
- Location: Deep Lake Erie—deep-water loss
- Significance: A testament to late-surviving small freighters and the hazards of stone transport by sail