Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Pincusville
- Type: Wooden vessel—likely schooner or small steamer
- Year Built: Circa 1869
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Estimated 60–120 ft in length
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Mid- to eastern Lake Erie
- Official Number: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden vessel—likely a schooner or small steamer, typical of late-19th-century regional freighters or tug-boats.
Description
The Pincusville was constructed with a wooden hull, characteristic of vessels from the late 1800s. Its dimensions are estimated to be between 60 and 120 feet in length. The propulsion method is uncertain, possibly sail or steam, due to a lack of machinery records. The vessel likely served small-scale freight, passenger, or harbor tug operations on Lake Erie.
History
Built circa 1869, the Pincusville was registered for service in the Great Lakes region. It sank in Lake Erie in 1881 under undisclosed circumstances. The cargo and route of the vessel are not recorded, and there are no documented casualties, suggesting that any loss of life may have been minor or nonexistent.
Significant Incidents
- Listed in the Great Lakes wreck index as ‘sank’ circa 1881.
- No official documentation found on the cause of sinking (storm, collision, fire, etc.).
- The lack of reporting suggests an unremarkable sinking, likely due to a minor storm or hull failure.
Final Disposition
The Pincusville remains a named vessel lost in Lake Erie in 1881, but her story is largely lost to history. No records confirm the cause of sinking, cargo, crew fate, or wreck position. It may represent a routine shipping asset that went down during a quiet storm or hull breach, with no formal inquiry or salvage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact location and condition of the wreck are unknown. Discovery has not been reported, and it is possible that the wreck has been mistaken for another vessel.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”pincusville-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
Only detailed archival research—particularly in port records and newspapers—can shed light on the Pincusville‘s origin, operation, and final resting place.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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