Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Roman
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: Unknown (possibly Oswego-built pre-1853)
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Lake Erie—deep lakewater between Detroit and Oswego (exact site unknown)
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Unknown—registry data not yet traced
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The *Roman* was a wooden-hulled schooner, likely a single-deck cargo vessel primarily used for transporting grain. The specifics of her rigging and dimensions remain undocumented pending further registry investigation.
Description
The *Roman* was originally constructed in 1842 and later rebuilt, possibly in Oswego. She was employed in regional wheat transport, typical of Great Lakes agricultural trade vessels. Technical specifics like tonnage, dimensions, rigging, and power remain undocumented pending registry investigation.
History
After her initial construction in 1842, the vessel underwent a rebuild (date unspecified, but after 1853) and reentered service under the name *Roman*. She operated on the Detroit–Oswego trade route, frequently carrying grain. The practice of rebuilding aging hulls reflects mid-19th-century maritime economics aimed at extending useful life.
On approximately 10 October 1858, while sailing east from Detroit laden with wheat, she encountered a severe gale on Lake Erie, was overwhelmed, foundered in deep water, and was lost with all nine crew—no survivors or wreck site recorded.
Significant Incidents
- Foundered during a violent storm on Lake Erie on 10 October 1858.
- All nine crew members perished; their identities remain unknown.
Final Disposition
The schooner foundered during a violent storm on Lake Erie. Due to the sudden, uncontrollable nature of the gale and lack of survivors, no detailed narrative beyond ‘foundered with all hands lost’ exists. The wreck was never recovered or charted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No discovery has been documented. No sonar, ROV, or diver investigations are known to have located any wreckage attributed to the *Roman*. The loss is known solely from secondary listings.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”roman-1842″ title=”References & Links”]
All nine crew members perished; their identities remain unknown. No memorials or personnel records have been identified. Further archival exploration of Oswego or Detroit records may reveal customs manifests or employment logs.
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 Card (Site Style)
Other Names: Possibly the prior vessel before rebuild (name unknown)
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: United States (Oswego/Detroit regions)
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, likely single‑deck cargo (grain)
Builder: Unknown (possibly Oswego‑built pre‑1853)
Year Built: 1842 (original hull), rebuilt later (post‑1853)
Dimensions: Unknown (registry records needed)
Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: Wheat
Date of Loss: Circa 10 October 1858
Location: Lake Erie—deep lakewater between Detroit and Oswego (exact site unknown)
Coordinates: Not recorded
Depth: Unknown—likely deep (>50 m) due to open‑water foundering
Home Port: Oswego (destination); likely Detroit or Oswego registry
Owners: Unknown—registry data not yet traced
Crew: 9 (all lost)
Casualties: All hands lost (9 persons)
Description
The *Roman* was a wooden‑hulled schooner, originally constructed in 1842 and later rebuilt—possibly in Oswego, per secondary sources. She was employed in regional wheat transport, typical of Great Lakes agricultural trade vessels. Technical specifics like tonnage, dimensions, rigging, and power remain undocumented pending registry investigation.
History
After her initial construction in 1842, the vessel underwent a rebuild (date unspecified, but after 1853) and reentered service under the name *Roman*. She operated on the Detroit–Oswego trade route, frequently carrying grain. The practice of rebuilding aging hulls reflects mid‑19th‑century maritime economics aimed at extending useful life.
On approximately 10 October 1858, while sailing east from Detroit laden with wheat, she encountered a severe gale on Lake Erie, was overwhelmed, foundered in deep water, and was lost with all nine crew—no survivors or wreck site recorded.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Final Dispositions
The schooner foundered during a violent storm on Lake Erie. Due to the sudden, uncontrollable nature of the gale and lack of survivors, no detailed narrative beyond ‘foundered with all hands lost’ exists. The wreck was never recovered or charted.
Located By & Date Found
No discovery has been documented. No sonar, ROV, or diver investigations are known to have located any wreckage attributed to the *Roman*. The loss is known solely from secondary listings.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Notmars & Advisories
No navigational warnings or official maritime advisories referencing the *Roman* have been noted. “None noted.”
Dive Information
Access: **None**—deep‑water, permanent wreck; only potential via advanced expedition.
Entry Point: Nearest ports—Detroit (departure) or Oswego (intended arrival).
Conditions: Lake Erie fall storm conditions—extremely high waves, poor visibility, cold water.
Depth Range: Likely **>50 m** (deep lake area); exact figure unknown.
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard sectors Detroit and Buffalo.
Permits: Required under U.S. historic shipwreck statutes for excavation or diving in submerged cultural sites.
Dive Support: Deep‑water salvage/dive teams necessary; no local charters suitable.
Crew & Casualty Memorials
All nine crew members perished; their identities remain unknown. No memorials or personnel records have been identified. Further archival exploration of Oswego or Detroit records may reveal customs manifests or employment logs.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“No survivors; schooner foundered in Lake Erie gale, all nine hands lost”—as summarized in secondary maritime loss compilations.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
The vessel’s registry prior to rebuild remains to be traced—Oswego shipping ledgers (c.1853) and Detroit/Oswego registry logs likely hold records of original hull and rebuild entries. Insurance documentation currently absent.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No imaging (e.g., sonar, photographs, 3D models) exists. Site remains undocumented and uncharted.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files — entry for **Roman**, indicating foundering in October 1858 with total loss and nine lives
- List of Shipwrecks in the Great Lakes (Wikipedia) — entry confirming foundering with all hands
- Project Gutenberg / Great Lakes Shipwreck Files—rebuild and missing/gale details provided by the user.
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Pre‑rebuild name (unknown)
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Not recorded
Depth: Unknown—likely deep water
Location Description: Lake Erie, en route Detroit–Oswego, gale foundering
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Foundered—wreck not located
Cause of Loss: Gale (severe storm), foundering
Discovery Date: Not discovered
Discovered By: n/a
Method: none documented
Legal Notes: Unknown insurance status
Hazards: Unknown
Permits Required: Likely—historic wreck site in U.S. waters