Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Magnetic US 91497

Explore the wreck of the Magnetic, a wooden schooner-barge lost in 1917 during a gale on Lake Erie. All crew survived the incident.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Magnetic
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1882
  • Builder: Presley, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 264 ft (80.5 m) × 38 ft × 22 ft; 1,946 gross tons, 1,770 net tons
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,946 gross tons, 1,770 net tons
  • Location: Approximately 19 miles west of Long Point, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 91497
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Two-masted wooden schooner-barge, heavy bulk freight carrier.

Description

The wooden schooner-barge Magnetic was built in 1882 and primarily used for transporting iron ore. It measured 264 feet in length, 38 feet in beam, and had a depth of 22 feet.

History

The Magnetic was constructed by Presley in Cleveland, Ohio, and was registered under the official number 91497. It was primarily used for carrying heavy bulk freight, particularly iron ore.

Significant Incidents

  • Final Incident: On August 25, 1917, while towing alongside the steamer E.M. Breitung, the Magnetic lost steering control in moderate gale conditions. After riding up on a large wave, it broke apart amidships and sank. All nine crew members were rescued.

Final Disposition

The Magnetic was declared a total constructive loss. The wreckage sank in deep water, and no salvage was attempted due to the structural breakup of the vessel. It was removed from registry records shortly after the incident.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Magnetic remains in deep water and has not been salvaged. Further research may help locate the exact wreck site and provide additional details about the incident.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”magnetic-us-91497″ title=”References & Links”]

In summary, the Magnetic serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels in adverse weather conditions. Continued archival research may uncover more about the crew and the circumstances surrounding its loss.

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-barge, wooden, built 1882)

Vessel Overview

  • Name: Magnetic
  • Official Number: 91497
  • Built: 1882 by Presley, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner-barge, heavy bulk freight carrier
  • Dimensions: 264 ft (LOD) × 38 ft × 22 ft; 1,946 gross tons, 1,770 net tons
  • Typical Cargo: Iron ore

Final Incident — August 25, 1917

  • Voyage Details: Departed Duluth, Minnesota bound for Buffalo, New York, towing alongside a steamer E.M. Breitung
  • Location: Occurred ~19 miles west of Long Point on Lake Erie
  • Weather Conditions: Moderate gale with significant wave action
  • Incident Summary: After rounding a large wave, Magnetic lost steering control. Once free, she rode up onto another large wave and then broke apart amidships
  • Cargo: Fully laden with iron ore
  • Casualties: No crew deaths—”none of 9″ aboard were lost

Disposition & Wreck Details

  • Loss Status: Declared a total constructive loss
  • Crew: All nine crew members rescued by the towing steamer E.M. Breitung
  • Final Fate: Wreckage sank in deep water; no salvage was attempted due to structural breakup
  • Registry: Removed from records soon after the incident

Source Citations

  • Alchem, Inc. shipwrecks list: Confirms sinking date, location, cargo, and circumstances
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: Details build specs and confirms crew survival (“none of 9”)

Research Gaps & Next Steps

  • Exact Wreck Location: Nautical charts or salvage logs might pinpoint where debris settled
  • Crew Details: Names and narratives might be preserved in Duluth Daily News, Buffalo Courier, or Coast Guard blade reports
  • Tow Arrangement Analysis: Operational logs for E.M. Breitung could clarify towing configuration and loss of steering
  • Weather Verification: Historical meteorological data may shed light on wave heights and gale direction
  • Operator/Insurance Reports: Documents from Duluth shipping firms may contain incident reports or cargo valuation records

Summary

The wooden schooner-barge Magnetic, built in 1882, was lost on August 25, 1917, while laden with iron ore and under tow off Long Point in Lake Erie. After her steering failed during a moderate gale, she broke in two on a large wave and sank. All nine crew members survived. The vessel was declared a total loss, and although the wreck remains in deep water, it has never been salvaged. Further archival research could reveal crew names, towing details, and exact wreck evidence.

magnetic-us-91497 1917-08-25 09:41:00