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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: Pincusville
- Built: Circa 1869 (inferred from registry lifespan)
- Official Number: Unknown
- Type: Wooden vessel—likely schooner or small steamer
- Final Voyage: Sank in Lake Erie in 1881 under undisclosed circumstances
- Cargo & Route: Not recorded
- Casualties: Not documented—may have been none or minor
Incident & Final Disposition
- Listed in the Great Lakes wreck index as “sank” circa 1881
- No official documentation found on cause (storm, collision, fire, etc.)
- The lack of reporting suggests an unremarkable sinking—likely due to minor storm or hull failure
Vessel Description (Inferred)
- Construction: Wooden hull typical of late-19th-century regional freighters or tug-boats
- Dimensions: Estimated 60–120 ft in length
- Propulsion: Sail or steam—uncertain due to missing machinery record
- Purpose: Likely small-scale freight, passenger, or harbor tug operations on Lake Erie
Wreck Location & Site Info
- Approximate Location: Mid- to eastern Lake Erie (given regional pattern)
- Depth & Condition: Unknown
- Discovery: Not reported; possibly undocumented or mistaken for another vessel
Research Recommendations
| Area | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Registry Inquiry | Search U.S. Enrollment records (c. 1868–1871) for vessel name and number |
| Newspaper Archives | Review 1881 Lake Erie-area papers (Buffalo Courier, Erie Gazette, Cleveland Leader) for sinking notices |
| Port Docket Logs | Inspect underwriter ledgers and port-of-entry documents for Pincusville—possibly in Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland |
| Wreck Survey | If location emerges, conduct side-scan sonar or magnetometer survey to identify hull signatures |
| Casualty Search | Search coroner’s records and maritime death lists in Erie and surrounding counties |
Conclusion
The Pincusville remains a named vessel lost in Lake Erie in 1881, but her story is lost to history—no records confirm cause, cargo, crew fate, or wreck position. She may represent a routine shipping asset that went down during a quiet storm or hull breach, with no formal inquiry or salvage. Only detailed archival research—particularly in port records and newspapers—can shed light on her origin, operation, and final resting place.
pincusville-1869 1881-07-20 12:02:00