Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ralph Campbell
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 104 ft 6.12 in (31.9 m); Beam: 25 ft 9.24 in; Depth of hold: 9 ft 8 in
- Registered Tonnage: 233 32/95 tonnage (Old Style)
- Location: Near Long Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 21179
- Original Owners: Ralph Campbell, B.S. Sheppard, Wm. Egan, Elkins & Merrill, Thompson & Others
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Ralph Campbell was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
Description
The Ralph Campbell was built in 1855 and was primarily engaged in the transport of lumber. It was noted for its significant contribution to the lumber trade, transporting enough material to build what was described as a ‘small-sized city.’
History
Throughout its service, the Ralph Campbell changed ownership multiple times, starting with Ralph Campbell of Sheffield, Ohio, and later passing to various owners in Chicago, Illinois. The vessel was involved in several notable incidents, including grounding and collisions, but it continued to operate for over five decades.
Significant Incidents
- 1855: Struck White Shoal in Lake Michigan while en route from Buffalo to Chicago. To lighten the vessel, 2,000 bushels of wheat were jettisoned. The schooner was freed but leaking.
- 1858: Ran ashore on Middle Island in Lake Huron while carrying lumber. Successfully freed.
- 1859: Stranded on Hog Island Reef, Lake Michigan. Freed and repaired in Milwaukee by the schooner Leviathon.
- 1861: Ran ashore in Hamilton, Ontario, Lake Ontario, in November.
- 1862: Underwent significant rebuilding.
- 1883: Collided with the tug Brothers on the Chicago River, sustaining repairable damage.
- 1909: On October 14, swamped by a storm near Long Point, Lake Erie. Drifted ashore and was broken apart by waves.
Final Disposition
The wreckage of the Ralph Campbell lies near Long Point in Lake Erie. The vessel was destroyed by wave action after being swamped during a storm. No information on loss of life or cargo during its final voyage has been recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Ralph Campbell serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by wooden schooners in the Great Lakes. Its remains are a testament to the maritime history of the region.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ralph-campbell-us-21179″ title=”References & Links”]
The Ralph Campbell’s long service history highlights the importance of wooden schooners in the Great Lakes’ lumber trade during the 19th century. Its wreck remains a reminder of the perils inherent in early maritime trade.
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.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Name: Ralph Campbell
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Official Number: 21179
- Dimensions: Length: 104 feet 6.12 inches Beam: 25 feet 9.24 inches Depth: 9 feet 8 inches
- Tonnage: 233 32/95 tonnage (Old Style)
- Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
- Year Built: 1855
- Final Location: Near Long Point, Lake Erie
- Depth: Shallow water near the shoreline
- Ownership History:
- 1855: Owned by Ralph Campbell of Sheffield, Ohio
- 1860: B.S. Sheppard of Chicago, Illinois
- 1863: Wm. Egan of Chicago
- 1866: Elkins & Merrill of Chicago
- 1876: Thompson & Others of Chicago
Service:
The Ralph Campbell was a hardworking schooner engaged in the transport of lumber across the Great Lakes, primarily to Chicago. Over its 54-year career, it was responsible for transporting enough lumber to build what was described as a “small-sized city.”
NOTABLE INCIDENTS
- 1855: Struck White Shoal in Lake Michigan while en route from Buffalo to Chicago. To lighten the vessel, 2,000 bushels of wheat were jettisoned. The schooner was freed but leaking.
- 1858: Ran ashore on Middle Island in Lake Huron while carrying lumber. Successfully freed.
- 1859: Stranded on Hog Island Reef, Lake Michigan. Freed and repaired in Milwaukee by the schooner Leviathon.
- 1861: Ran ashore in Hamilton, Ontario, Lake Ontario, in November.
- 1862: Underwent significant rebuilding.
- 1883: Collided with the tug Brothers on the Chicago River, sustaining repairable damage.
- 1909: On October 14, 1909, the schooner was swamped by a storm near Long Point, Lake Erie. Drifted ashore and was broken apart by waves. Intended to be converted into a houseboat around the harbor after being condemned in 1905.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The wreckage of the Ralph Campbell lies near Long Point in Lake Erie. The vessel was destroyed by wave action after being swamped during a storm. No information on loss of life or cargo during its final voyage has been recorded.
The Ralph Campbell’s long service history highlights the importance of wooden schooners in the Great Lakes’ lumber trade during the 19th century. It is a testament to the resilience of these vessels and the challenges faced by sailors navigating these waters. Its wreck remains a reminder of the perils inherent in early maritime trade.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- NOAA Great Lakes Wreck Registry