Shotline Diving

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Opechee (1864)

Explore the tragic story of the Opechee, a schooner that foundered in Lake Erie, claiming the lives of its crew during a sudden gale.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Opechee
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1864
  • Builder: Samuel Miller & Co.
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 124 GRT (Register) / 200 old-style
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 40 ft
  • Location: 15-20 miles ENE of Point Pelee, Lake Erie
  • Original Owners: Samuel Miller & Co., Oswego, NY
  • Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Two-masted wooden schooner

Description

The Opechee was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1864. It was registered at 124 gross tons and was noted for its construction by Samuel Miller & Co. in Oswego, New York.

History

Built on March 29, 1864, the Opechee was owned by Samuel Miller & Co. and had its home port in Oswego, New York. The vessel was classified as a Class B schooner.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: September 5, 1864
  • Location: ~15-20 miles ENE of Point Pelee, Lake Erie
  • Circumstances: Struck by a sudden gale and foundered rapidly. Witnesses reported her topmasts remained visible above water for a time.

Final Disposition

All six crew members were lost, including Captain John C. Clement. Eyewitnesses described Clement strapped to the fore topmast rigging, waving for assistance. The steamer Bradbury made multiple failed rescue attempts due to severe conditions. Captain Clement’s body was recovered on September 8 by the schooner Denmark and returned to Oswego by his brother, Captain George Clement.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is believed to be located in less than 12 meters (40 feet) of water, likely on a shoal in Eastern Lake Erie, northeast of Point Pelee, Ontario. The exact condition of the wreck remains uncertain.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”opechee-1864″ title=”References & Links”]

The Opechee serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the 19th century. Its loss and the tragic fate of its crew highlight the need for continued exploration and documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

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 – Foundered September 5, 1864, Lake Erie)

Vessel Details

  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
  • Tonnage: 124 GRT (Register) / 200 old-style
  • Built: March 29, 1864, at Oswego, NY by Samuel Miller & Co.
  • Owner: Samuel Miller & Co., Oswego, NY
  • Home Port: Oswego, New York
  • Registry Class: B
  • Value: $6,500
  • Noted as: Outfit of schooner Alliance

Sources:

Final Voyage & Sinking

  • Date: September 5, 1864
  • Location: ~15–20 miles ENE of Point Pelee, Lake Erie
  • Circumstances: Struck by a sudden gale and foundered rapidly. Witnesses reported her topmasts remained visible above water for a time.

Casualties

  • All six crew members were lost, including Captain John C. Clement.
  • Eyewitnesses described Clement strapped to the fore topmast rigging, waving for assistance.
  • The steamer Bradbury made multiple failed rescue attempts due to severe conditions.
  • Captain Clement’s body was recovered on September 8 by the schooner Denmark and returned to Oswego by his brother, Captain George Clement.

Primary source: Oswego Palladium (September 1864)

Wreck Location

  • General Area: Eastern Lake Erie, northeast of Point Pelee, Ontario
  • Map Index: Lake Erie Shipwreck Map B
  • Estimated Depth: Less than 12 meters (40 feet), likely on a shoal

Archival Newspaper Sources

  • Confirmed: Oswego Palladium, September 1864
  • Pending Search: Buffalo Courier, Detroit Free Press

Search terms used:

  • “Opechee schooner 1864”
  • “Captain Clement Lake Erie foundered”
  • “Shipwreck Point Pelee September 1864”

Registry Details

  • Recorded Owner: Samuel Miller & Co.
  • First Launch: March 29, 1864
  • Loss Date Recorded: September 5, 1864
  • Classification: Schooner, Class B, one deck

Historical Significance

  • A poignant case of early-season schooner loss on Lake Erie
  • Captain Clement’s death while lashed to the mast became a documented symbol of 19th-century maritime resilience
  • The wreck’s location and historical account make it a prime candidate for sonar or diver site confirmation

Summary & Next Actions

  • Registry and builder data verified through GreatLakesShips and MHGL
  • Casualty narrative confirmed in Oswego Palladium
  • Recommend targeted sonar or diver reconnaissance east of Point Pelee
  • Compile full dossier with archival clippings, registry certificates, and regional wreck correlation

Let me know when you’re ready to move to the next vessel.

opechee-1864 1864-09-05 18:20:00