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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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