Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Stockton
- Type: Schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 132 ft (40.23 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Cleveland, Lake Erie
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Three-masted wooden schooner-barge, likely used for bulk freight such as stone or coal.
Description
The Mary Stockton was a wooden schooner-barge measuring 132 feet in length. It was primarily utilized for transporting bulk freight, including materials like stone and coal.
History
The Mary Stockton was built in 1853 and served in various capacities until its loss in late 1888. The vessel was overwhelmed by a severe gale while attempting to enter Cleveland’s harbor, leading to its grounding on submerged rocks.
Significant Incidents
- While attempting entry to Cleveland’s harbor in late 1888, Mary Stockton was overwhelmed by a gale, grounded on submerged rocks, and pounded to pieces.
- Tragically, all hands were lost, with no survivors reported.
Final Disposition
The Mary Stockton was declared a total loss, with the wreck deemed irrecoverable due to extensive structural breakup. The incident occurred during a time when Cleveland harbor entrance conditions were notorious for storm-induced wrecks.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely located off Cleveland’s shore entrance, potentially submerged but buried under Lake Erie sediments. Given the violent breakup, surviving structures would be highly fragmented, and no surveys or dive investigations are documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-stockton-1853″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mary Stockton highlights the dangers faced by sailing cargo vessels at harbor entrances during intense weather, especially in poorly protected ports like Cleveland before modern infrastructure. The total crew loss underscores the severity of 19th-century gales and navigational hazards. From an archaeological standpoint, the wreck may only persist as scattered fragments—but even these can yield insight into construction practices and storm impact on wooden schooner-barges.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type & Construction: Three-masted wooden schooner‑barge, 132 ft in length—likely used for bulk freight such as stone or coal. (alcheminc.com)
- Loss Date: November or December of 1888 (exact day unclear). (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
- Location: Driven onto rocks at Cleveland, Lake Erie, during a severe gale, resulting in total loss. (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
Final Voyage & Casualties
- While attempting entry to Cleveland’s harbor in late 1888, Mary Stockton was overwhelmed by a gale, grounded on submerged rocks, and pounded to pieces.
- Tragically, all hands were lost, with no survivors reported. (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss, wreck irrecoverable due to extensive structural breakup.
- The incident occurred at a time when Cleveland harbor entrance conditions were notorious for storm-induced wrecks.
Wreck Condition & Site Status
- The wreck site is likely located off Cleveland’s shore entrance, potentially submerged but buried under Lake Erie sediments.
- Given the violent breakup, surviving structures would be highly fragmented, and no surveys or dive investigations are documented.
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Research Area | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Precise Date & Crew Info | Examine Cleveland newspapers (e.g., Plain Dealer) from Nov–Dec 1888 for exact date, crew manifest, and details of the gale. |
| USLSS Reports | Retrieve Life-Saving Service or harbor patrol logs noting rescue attempts or recovery of bodies. |
| Harbor Records | Analyze Cleveland Harbor Commission documents for storm logs and post-wreck hazard notices. |
| Remote Survey | Conduct side-scan sonar in the entrance zone to detect submerged debris field. |
| Archaeological Assessment | If anomalies found, conduct targeted dives to map and document any surviving wreck remains. |
Summary Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary Stockton |
| Built | 1853 (132 ft schooner-barge) |
| Loss | Nov/Dec 1888 – Storm wreck, Cleveland |
| Casualties | All hands lost |
| Disposition | Total loss; wreck distributed over rocks |
| Site | Buried or broken off Cleveland entrance, Lake Erie |
Significance
The Mary Stockton highlights the dangers faced by sailing cargo vessels at harbor entrances during intense weather, especially in poorly protected ports like Cleveland before modern infrastructure. The total crew loss underscores the severity of 19th‑century gales and navigational hazards. From an archaeological standpoint, the wreck may only persist as scattered fragments—but even these can yield insight into construction practices and storm impact on wooden schooner‑barges.
mary-stockton-1853 1888-12-01 18:39:00