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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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