Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Olive Richmond
- Type: Wooden brig (two-masted square-rigged vessel)
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approximately 94 × 24 × 9 ft; ~168 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 168 tons
- Location: Cleveland breakwater, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: no official registry number recorded
- Original Owners: J. Ransom
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden brig, two-masted square-rigged vessel.
Description
Description
The Olive Richmond was a wooden brig built in 1842, measuring approximately 94 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth. She was registered out of Chicago and owned by J. Ransom, with Captain Peterson in command at the time of her loss.
History
History
The Olive Richmond served in the Great Lakes trade, primarily transporting goods and passengers. Her final voyage began on April 27, 1854, when she departed from Chicago bound for Cleveland or another port on Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On April 27, 1854, during a powerful spring gale, the Olive Richmond was driven onto the Cleveland breakwater.
- The vessel became stranded and broke apart over several days due to the storm’s intensity.
- She was declared a total loss, valued at approximately $2,350.
- There was no recorded loss of life among her crew, who survived by sheltering aboard a nearby stranded brig also named Olive Richmond.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Olive Richmond was swept ashore in gale-force winds and remained stuck against the breakwater until her timbers failed, resulting in her breaking apart over multiple days.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and accessibility may be limited due to its location on the Cleveland breakwater.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”olive-richmond-1842″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The wreck of the Olive Richmond serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Her story highlights the importance of understanding maritime history and the challenges posed by sudden storms.
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.
Identification & Specifications
- Name: Olive Richmond (no official registry number recorded)
- Type: Wooden brig (two-masted square-rigged vessel)
- Built: 1842
- Dimensions: Approximately 94 × 24 × 9 ft; ~168 tons
- Ownership: Registered out of Chicago under owner J. Ransom, with Capt. Peterson commanding at loss
Final Voyage & Wreck – April 27, 1854, Lake Michigan
- Departed Chicago bound for Cleveland (or other Lake Michigan port).
- During a powerful spring gale, she was driven onto the Cleveland breakwater, became stranded, and broke apart over several days.
- The brig was declared a total loss, valued at about $2,350.
- She carried no cargo, and there is no recorded loss of life among her crew.
- Remarkably, the remainder of her crew survived by sheltering aboard a nearby stranded brig also named Olive Richmond (likely a similarly wrecked vessel)
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Details & Aftermath
- Location: Cleveland breakwater, Lake Michigan
- Incident Description: Swept ashore in gale-force winds, the brig remained stuck and was battered against the structure until her timbers failed—broken to pieces over multiple days.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry provides a detailed account of the incident, including construction specs, ownership, storm loss, valuation, and crew survival aboard her sister vessel
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Recommended Actions
| Research Area | Suggested Next Step |
|---|---|
| Exact Entry Date | Search April 1854 Cleveland newspapers (e.g., Cleveland Plain Dealer) for arrival misfortune and storm report |
| Crew & Command Records | Examine Chicago customs or port departure logs to identify crew complement and possibly confirm “same-name brig” confusion |
| Breakwater Analysis | Compare 1854 breakwater design with sheathing and collision points to model how the vessel grounded |
| Archaeological Assessment | Consider shallow-water remote sensing near breakwater to detect structural remains or debris fields |
Historical Significance
Olive Richmond represents an early example of mid-19th-century wooden brigs serving Great Lakes trade and passenger routes. Her dramatic wreck highlights hazards at engineered harbor structures during sudden spring storms, before modern navigation and forecasting. The survival of her crew aboard a sister wreck adds a poignant human layer to this maritime event. Locating her remains—or uncovering contemporary reports—would enhance understanding of early Lake Michigan ship design and harbor accident response.
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