Sarah E. Sheldon – Lake Erie Steamer Shipwreck (1905)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: SARAH E. SHELDON
• Type: Steam Screw Vessel (Propeller)
• Year Built: 1872
• Builder: Black River, Ohio
• Dimensions: 184.1 ft (56.1 m); Beam 32.4 ft (9.9 m); Depth of hold 13.8 ft (4.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 693 gross tons; 517 net tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
• Location: Off Vermilion, Ohio
• Coordinates: 41° 29.741' N, 82° 06.678' W
• Official Number: US 115083
• Original Owners: Unknown
• Number of Masts: Three masts (originally), later reduced to one mast

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The SARAH E. SHELDON was a wooden steam screw vessel built in 1872 at Black River, Ohio. The vessel was originally constructed with a single deck and was later rebuilt in 1876 with two decks and three masts. The ship was designed primarily for freight transportation and had a gross tonnage of 693 tons and a net tonnage of 517 tons. Measuring 184.1 feet in length, 32.4 feet in beam, and 13.8 feet in depth, the SARAH E. SHELDON was powered by a 570-horsepower steam engine.

Description

The wreck of the SARAH E. SHELDON lies in 20 feet of water, likely dispersed across the lakebed due to the impact of the waves and the vessel’s wooden construction. The shallow depth makes the site accessible to divers, though the scattered remains may be difficult to locate and explore. The site is of historical interest, particularly for those studying Great Lakes shipwrecks and early steam vessels.

History

The SARAH E. SHELDON was launched in 1872 and served as a freight vessel on the Great Lakes for over three decades. Throughout its operational life, the vessel experienced numerous incidents, repairs, and modifications, including a significant rebuild in 1876 and further repairs in 1883, 1887, and 1894.
Some key events in the SARAH E. SHELDON’s history include:

• 1880: The vessel arrived at port with a split stern, requiring major repairs.
• 1887: A collision with the schooner Alva Bradley led to the latter’s wrecking, and the SHELDON was towed to Soo, Michigan, for assessment.
• 1893: The vessel struck a rock at a dock in Soo, Michigan, causing a leak.
• 1894: The SARAH E. SHELDON was razed and rebuilt, reducing it to one deck and one mast.

By the early 1900s, the vessel was still active, with its final modifications including a reinforced bow for ice work and a steel boiler house in 1899.

Significant Incidents

On October 20, 1905, the SARAH E. SHELDON ran aground off Lorain, Ohio, during a severe gale while en route to the Detroit River with a load of coal. The vessel became unmanageable after likely suffering a broken rudder and ultimately crashed onto the rocks, four miles east of Lorain.
During the rescue attempt, a tug managed to get alongside the SHELDON, and five crew members were able to jump onto the tug. However, before the rest of the crew could follow, the tug was carried away by powerful waves. The remaining crew members were left stranded on the wreck, which was being battered by waves. Two crew members who jumped overboard were swept away and lost despite wearing life preservers. The Cleveland Lifesaving crew later attempted a rescue with a surf boat.
The SARAH E. SHELDON, now resting on a sandy bottom, was completely submerged and began to disintegrate under the relentless wave action. The vessel was a total loss, and its documents were surrendered on October 23, 1905, in Cleveland. The wreck claimed two lives, marking a tragic end to the vessel’s long service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the SARAH E. SHELDON was reported immediately following the incident in 1905. The site has been documented in historical records, though the wreck is likely dispersed due to the vessel’s disintegration.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the SARAH E. SHELDON lies in 20 feet of water, likely dispersed across the lakebed due to the impact of the waves and the vessel’s wooden construction. The shallow depth makes the site accessible to divers, though the scattered remains may be difficult to locate and explore. The site is of historical interest, particularly for those studying Great Lakes shipwrecks and early steam vessels.

Resources & Links

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The SARAH E. SHELDON’s tragic sinking on October 20, 1905, underscores the dangers faced by vessels navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Despite the vessel’s long and storied history, it ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature. The wreck, now lying off Vermilion, Ohio, serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the harsh realities of maritime transport during the early 20th century.