Plummer C.H (1888)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: PLUMMER, C.H.
• Type: Wooden Schooner (Scow)
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder: William Huddock, Sandusky, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length 116.5 ft (35.5 m); Beam 28.3 ft (8.6 m); Depth of hold 8.2 ft (2.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 219.43 tons; Net: 208.56 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 18 ft
• Location: Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: 42°35.859’N, 82°43.914’W
• Original Owners: E.L. Redding and others; later A.J. Helbing
• Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The PLUMMER, C.H. was a single-masted wooden schooner built for transporting goods, particularly stone, across the Great Lakes. Its design—featuring a plain head and square stern—was functional and suited to its cargo-focused operations. As a scow schooner, it was optimized for carrying heavy loads, a common requirement for vessels of this type and period.

Description

The remains of the PLUMMER, C.H. lie near Kelley’s Island in approximately 18 feet (6 meters) of water. Depending on water clarity and sediment levels, visibility at the site may vary. The shallow depth allows for easy access by divers and snorkelers.

History

Construction and Ownership
Built in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1888 by William Huddock, who also served as the vessel’s master carpenter. Initially owned by E.L. Redding and others, with ownership later transferring to A.J. Helbing, both based in Sandusky.

Specifications and Operations
The schooner’s 116.5-foot length, single mast, and robust hull design made it ideal for transporting heavy cargo such as stone. It operated primarily out of Sandusky, Ohio, a hub for Great Lakes shipping.

Final Voyage
On November 21, 1888, the PLUMMER, C.H. caught fire while anchored near Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie. The vessel was carrying a cargo of stone when the fire erupted. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the fire consumed the schooner entirely, resulting in a total loss. The ship’s documentation was surrendered in Sandusky following the incident.

Significant Incidents

• The PLUMMER, C.H. caught fire on November 21, 1888, while anchored near Kelley’s Island.
• The vessel was carrying a cargo of stone when the fire erupted.
• The fire consumed the schooner entirely, resulting in a total loss.
• The ship’s documentation was surrendered in Sandusky following the incident.

Final Disposition

The remains of the PLUMMER, C.H. are located in Lake Erie, near Kelley’s Island. The wreck is submerged and has been subject to deterioration due to fire and time.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The burned remnants of the wooden hull and any scattered artifacts may still be present, although heavily deteriorated due to the fire and subsequent submersion. The cargo of stone may also be visible at the site, as it likely settled around the wreck.

Resources & Links

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The PLUMMER, C.H. represents a classic example of Great Lakes schooner design and the challenges faced by 19th-century shipping operations. Its tragic loss underscores the hazards of fire aboard wooden vessels, a common peril in the era of maritime transportation dominated by timber-built ships.