Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

M.P. Barkalow US 90277

Explore the tragic history of the M.P. Barkalow, a wooden schooner that succumbed to a gale in Lake Erie in 1902, resulting in the loss of three crew members.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: M.P. Barkalow
  • Type: Wooden schooner
  • Year Built: 1871
  • Builder: Otis Harper, Perry, Ohio
  • Dimensions: Length 104.2 ft (31.8 m); Beam 22.7 ft (6.9 m); Depth 8.2 ft (2.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 121 gross tons, 115 net tons
  • Location: ~1.5 miles west of Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: Unknown
  • Official Number: 90277
  • Original Owners: Unknown
  • Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The M.P. Barkalow was classified as a wooden schooner, a common vessel type used for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes.

Description

The M.P. Barkalow was built in 1871 and served for 31 years, primarily transporting salt and grain. Her home port was Detroit, Michigan.

History

Throughout her operational history, the M.P. Barkalow encountered several significant incidents, including stranding, collisions, and sinking. Despite these challenges, she continued to operate until her final voyage in 1902.

Significant Incidents

  • September 18, 1871: Stranded near Point Abino due to heavy smoke. The vessel was later freed with tug assistance.
  • July 3, 1887: Collided with the steambarge Nipigon at Cleveland’s old river bed. She sustained heavy starboard bow damage but was repaired.
  • Fall 1894: Sank in Toledo after a drawbridge was lowered onto her deck. Raised and repaired.
  • April 26, 1902: Foundered off Put-In-Bay during a southwest gale while anchored. Three crew were lost.

Final Disposition

After foundering on April 26, 1902, the M.P. Barkalow was declared a total loss. The sole survivor’s account described the vessel’s rapid sinking amidst fierce conditions. The wreck’s position remains undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No wreckage has been located or documented since the incident. The Barkalow is presumed destroyed or buried beneath sediment. No known diving activity or surveys exist at the presumed loss site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”m-p-barkalow-us-90277″ title=”References & Links”]

The M.P. Barkalow embodies both endurance and tragedy in Great Lakes shipping history. Serving over three decades, she withstood multiple mishaps before ultimately succumbing to a Lake Erie gale in 1902. Though her wreck remains hidden, her story adds to the legacy of schooner-era maritime commerce.

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.

Identification Card (Site Style)

Name: M.P. Barkalow
Other Names: None known
Official Number: 90277
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Builder: Otis Harper, Perry, Ohio
Year Built: 1871
Dimensions: Length 104.2 ft (31.8 m) × Beam 22.7 ft (6.9 m) × Depth 8.2 ft (2.5 m)
Tonnage: 121 gross tons, 115 net tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Salt
Date of Loss: 26 April 1902
Location: ~1.5 miles west of Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Unknown
Home Port: Detroit, Michigan
Owners: Unknown
Crew: 4
Casualties: 3 fatalities, 1 survivor

History

The M.P. Barkalow was a wooden schooner built in 1871 in Perry, Ohio by Otis Harper. Throughout her 31 years of service, she hauled bulk cargo such as salt and grain across Lake Erie and surrounding waterways. Her home port was Detroit, Michigan.

Significant Incidents

  • September 18, 1871: Stranded near Point Abino due to heavy smoke. The vessel was later freed with tug assistance.
  • July 3, 1887: Collided with the steambarge Nipigon at Cleveland’s old river bed. She sustained heavy starboard bow damage but was repaired.
  • Fall 1894: Sank in Toledo after a drawbridge was lowered onto her deck. Raised and repaired.
  • April 26, 1902: Foundered off Put-In-Bay during a southwest gale while anchored. Three crew were lost.

Final Disposition

Declared a total loss after foundering on April 26, 1902. The sole survivor’s testimony highlights the vessel’s rapid sinking and fierce conditions. The wreck’s position remains undocumented.

Current Status

No wreckage has been located or documented since the incident. The Barkalow is presumed destroyed or buried beneath sediment. No known diving activity or surveys exist at the presumed loss site.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The M.P. Barkalow embodies both endurance and tragedy in Great Lakes shipping history. Serving over three decades, she withstood multiple mishaps before ultimately succumbing to a Lake Erie gale in 1902. Though her wreck remains hidden, her story adds to the legacy of schooner-era maritime commerce.

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: M.P. Barkalow
Other Names: None
Official Number: 90277
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Unknown
Location Description: ~1.5 miles west of Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 104.2 ft × 22.7 ft × 8.2 ft; 121 GT
Condition: Presumed destroyed
Cause of Loss: Foundering in gale while anchored
Discovery Date: Not discovered
Discovered By: Not applicable
Method: Not applicable
Legal Notes: Not protected
Hazards: None reported
Permits Required: Not applicable

Keywords

#MPBarkalow #LakeErieShipwrecks #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #SchoonerWrecks #ClevelandMaritimeIncidents #PutInBayShipwrecks #SailingEra #19thCenturyShipwreck

m-p-barkalow-us-90277 1902-04-26 07:53:00