Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Netta Weaver
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder: Rogers, Toledo or Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 310 tons
- Location: 50 miles west of Kincardine, Ontario, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: 50 miles west of Kincardine, Ontario
- Official Number: 18089
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Netta Weaver was a mid-sized wooden schooner designed for carrying bulk cargo on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Netta Weaver was built in 1865 and primarily used for transporting iron ore. Throughout her career, she likely carried coal, lumber, and grain as well.
History
Operating mainly from Cleveland, Ohio, the Netta Weaver was involved in the iron ore trade between Lake Superior and steel mills in Ohio. By the 1870s, she faced competition from faster steam-powered vessels.
Significant Incidents
- October 4, 1877: The Netta Weaver was lost in a storm while bound for Cleveland from Lake Superior, carrying iron ore.
- Two lives were lost: a crewman and a passenger drowned before they could escape.
- Six crew members survived after an 18-hour struggle in an open yawl to reach Kincardine, Ontario.
Final Disposition
The Netta Weaver wrecked 50 miles west of Kincardine, Ontario, during a sudden storm. Her wooden hull has likely deteriorated over time, but remnants of her cargo and equipment may still be present on the lakebed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given her wooden construction, much of the Netta Weaver‘s hull has likely deteriorated. No modern documentation or sonar scans confirm her exact location, but future explorations may locate her remains.
Resources & Links
The loss of the Netta Weaver serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes sailors, particularly as wooden vessels transitioned to steam-powered ships. Her story reflects the challenges of maritime navigation in unpredictable weather.