Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nellie Mason
- Type: Wooden three-mast schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Crosthwaite at East Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: Approximately 181 ft (55.2 m) long; 33 ft beam; 12 ft draft
- Registered Tonnage: 554 gross tons, 527 net
- Location: At the entrance to Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 130221
- Original Owners: F. W. Gilchrist of Alpena, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Nellie Mason was a wooden three-mast schooner-barge, designed for carrying cargo across the Great Lakes. Built in 1882, she was a typical vessel of her time, featuring a robust wooden hull and multiple masts for sail power.
Description
At the time of her loss, the Nellie Mason was approximately 181 feet long, with a beam of 33 feet and a draft of 12 feet. She had a registered tonnage of 554 gross tons and 527 net tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting coal.
History
The Nellie Mason was built in 1882 by Crosthwaite in East Saginaw, Michigan. She was owned by F. W. Gilchrist of Alpena, Michigan, and was typically towed by larger steamers for her voyages. On the day of her loss, she was under tow by the steamer Lansing and accompanied by the barge B.W. Palmer, heading for Alpena.
Significant Incidents
- On November 13, 1905, during a severe gale, the tow line failed, and the Nellie Mason was driven onto the west breakwall of Cleveland Harbor.
- Despite initially remaining intact, the vessel was subjected to repeated storms that caused her to break apart, leading to her being declared a total loss.
- No fatalities were reported among the crew, who were likely rescued or evacuated safely.
Final Disposition
The Nellie Mason was stranded on the breakwall and initially showed no damage. However, subsequent storms led to structural failure and breakup. The vessel was ultimately abandoned and destroyed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there is no modern identification or dive survey documented for the Nellie Mason. The wreck is believed to lie in shallow, dynamic waters near the Cleveland breakwall, but precise site information is lacking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nellie-mason-us-130221″ title=”References & Links”]
Given the historical significance of the Nellie Mason and the circumstances surrounding her loss, further research and potential underwater surveys could provide valuable insights into her final resting place and condition.
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
- Official number: 130221
- Year built: 1882 by Crosthwaite at East Saginaw, Michigan
- Vessel type: Wooden three‑mast schooner‑barge
- Dimensions: Approximately 181 ft long × 33 ft beam × 12 ft draft; 554 gross tons, 527 net
Cargo & Operational Status
- Cargo at time of loss: Coal
- Voyage details: Outbound for Alpena, loaded and under tow of the steamer Lansing, along with the barge B.W. Palmer
Date & Location of Loss
- Loss date: November 13, 1905
- Location: At the entrance to Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie; she struck the west breakwall and became stranded
Circumstances of the Loss
- During a severe gale, the tow failed; Nellie Mason was driven onto the breakwall. Though she initially remained intact, several succeeding storms battered her until she broke apart and was declared a total loss. Crew survival is not explicitly noted in the summary, but no fatalities were recorded.
- Master: Captain J. B. Mitchell
- Owner: F. W. Gilchrist of Alpena, Michigan
Crew & Casualties
- Loss of life: None reported—crew likely rescued or evacuated safely
- Crew number: Not specified in summary; assumed standard minimal barge crew under tethered tow
Final Disposition
- The vessel was stranded on the breakwall and initially undamaged. Repeated storms in the following days caused structural failure and breakup. She was abandoned and ultimately destroyed.
Located By & Survey Status
- There is no modern identification or dive survey listed for Nellie Mason in existing wreck databases. The wreck likely lies in shallow, dynamic water near Cleveland breakwall, but precise site information is absent.
Notmars & Official Advisories
- No Notices to Mariners or hazard advisories were issued specific to Nellie Mason at the time. None noted in archival hazard records.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry on “M‑section” detailing the stranding, tow information, loss date, vessel specs, and owner/master
- Lake Erie Shipwreck Index by Alchemin, Inc. confirming date, location, and narrative of the breakwall stranding and subsequent destruction
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Nellie Mason |
| Official No. | 130221 |
| Built | 1882, East Saginaw, MI |
| Vessel Type | Wooden three‑mast schooner‑barge |
| Dimensions | ~181 × 33 × 12 ft; 554 gt / 527 nt |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Tow | With steamer Lansing and barge B.W. Palmer |
| Loss Date | November 13, 1905 |
| Loss Location | West breakwall, Cleveland Harbor, Ohio |
| Cause | Gale-driven ashore, collision with breakwall |
| Crew | None lost (crew presumably rescued) |
| Fate | Stranded, later shattered by storms |
| Wreck Located | Not documented |
Commentary & Recommendations
- Crew survival detail: Although no fatalities are recorded, it would be useful to review Cleveland-area newspapers from late November 1905 (e.g. The Plain Dealer) to confirm rescue operations and crew accommodations.
- Tow configuration: Records of Lansing‘s logbooks or operator files (Gilchrist Transportation Co.) may detail the sequence of breakaway events, follow‑up salvage attempts, and insurance claims.
- Site reconnaissance: Given proximity to the breakwall, a targeted underwater survey—side-scan sonar or shallow dive—off Cleveland Harbor entrance may discover debris or structural fragments if not entirely washed away by winter ice.
- Registry data: A visit to U.S. vessel enrollment or casualty reports (e.g. National Archives Chicago) could verify crew size, owner identity, insurance, and official loss coding.