Shotline Diving

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Sasco US 22355

Explore the wreck of the Sasco, a wooden schooner lost in 1879 during a gale on Lake Erie, with all crew members rescued.

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.

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.

(wooden schooner, built 1857)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: Sasco (sometimes spelled Iosco)
  • Official number: 22355
  • Builder: Merry & Gay, Milan, Ohio, 1857
  • Dimensions: ~140 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft; approx. 281 tons
  • Role: Two-masted wooden schooner, primarily used in bulk cargo trade across Lake Erie

Final Incident: November 17, 1879

  • Conditions: Sailors encountered a severe gale while outbound to Cleveland
  • Situation: Sasco missed the breakwater entrance, went broadside into heavy surf, and was driven onto the shore
  • Crew Response: Initially, the crew refused assistance but were later rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service via breeches buoy
  • Loss of Life: None of the six crew perished
  • Date of Official Documentation: Registry surrendered at Port Huron on December 27, 1880, marked “lost in 1879” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition

  • Declared a total constructive loss following grounding
  • Aftermath: Although the crew escaped, the hull was abandoned and left in situ as irrecoverable damage had occurred

Sources & Archival References

Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities

  • Exact grounding location: Likely along Lake Erie near Fairport, Ohio—coordinate research possible via period newspapers or harbor logs
  • Rescue report: U.S. Life-Saving Service station logs around the date may contain detailed reports of the breeches-buoy rescue
  • Weather data: Meteorological logs from mid-November 1879 could confirm storm intensity and wind direction
  • Ownership and cargo manifest: Investigate registry paperwork and customs documents for information on cargo and ownership

Conclusion

The Sasco, a sturdy Ohio-built schooner of moderate size, was lost on November 17, 1879, after succumbing to a powerful gale on Lake Erie. Though she went broadside into rough surf upon missing the pier, all six crew members were safely rescued. The vessel was declared a total loss, and her documents surrendered just over a year later. To better pinpoint her wreck location and understand circumstances, deeper archival investigation—especially into Life-Saving Service records, harbor authority logs, and weather archives—is recommended.

sasco-us-22355 1879-11-17 14:31:00