Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sasco
- Type: wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Merry & Gay, Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~140 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft; approx. 281 tons
- Registered Tonnage: approx. 281 tons
- Location: Lake Erie near Fairport, Ohio
- Official Number: 22355
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sasco was a two-masted wooden schooner primarily used in the bulk cargo trade across Lake Erie.
Description
Built in 1857 by Merry & Gay in Milan, Ohio, the Sasco measured approximately 140 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 11 feet. She was registered at around 281 tons.
History
The Sasco was engaged in the bulk cargo trade on Lake Erie. On November 17, 1879, while outbound to Cleveland, the vessel encountered a severe gale. The crew initially refused assistance but were later rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
Significant Incidents
- November 17, 1879: The Sasco missed the breakwater entrance and was driven onto the shore during a gale.
- All six crew members were rescued without loss of life.
Final Disposition
The Sasco was declared a total constructive loss following the grounding. Although the crew escaped, the hull was abandoned due to irrecoverable damage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Sasco remains in situ, with no recovery efforts reported. Further research is needed to pinpoint the exact grounding location.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sasco-us-22355″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sasco, a sturdy Ohio-built schooner, was lost on November 17, 1879, after succumbing to a powerful gale on Lake Erie. All crew members were safely rescued, but the vessel was declared a total loss. Further archival investigation is recommended to better understand the circumstances surrounding her wreck.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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