Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Scioto
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1841
- Builder: E. Tisdale
- Dimensions: Length 85 ft (25.9 m); Beam 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 130 tons
- Location: Approximately 12 miles below Conneaut, Ohio, near Ashtabula
- Original Owners: Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden-hulled two-masted schooner typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes grain and bulk freighters.
Description
Constructed by E. Tisdale in Cleveland, the Scioto measured:
- Length: 85 ft (25.9 m)
- Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Tonnage (old style): 130 tons
History
Built in 1841, the Scioto operated primarily on Lake Erie, engaged in the transport of grain and other cargoes. On April 25, 1848, she capsized near Cattaraugus Creek, New York. The crew escaped via small boat, and assistance from the propeller Detroit righted and towed her to Buffalo. By 1849, she was recorded at 125 tons, later increasing to 135 tons—reflecting modifications, though exact details are scarce (alcheminc.com, alcheminc.com).
Significant Incidents
- April 25, 1848: Capsized near Cattaraugus Creek, New York; crew rescued.
Final Disposition
On November 20, 1851, the Scioto was carrying 5,700 bushels of wheat when she collided with the schooner Quebec about 12 miles offshore. The impact led to her sinking; no loss of life was reported. The precise wreck site has never been located and is not marked on modern navigational charts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not located. There are no records of discovery or hydroacoustic surveys identifying her wreckage.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”scioto-1841″ title=”References & Links”]
The Scioto was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner built and registered in Cleveland, Ohio. After a significant capsizing incident in 1848 from which she was salvaged and repaired, she continued active freight service until her loss in 1851. Sunk amid a collision with the Quebec, the wreck has never been located. Her loss exemplifies the navigational hazards of Great Lakes grain transportation during the era, though she left no direct archaeological trace.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Scioto
- Year Built: 1841
- Place of Build: Cleveland, Ohio
- Registered in: Cleveland, Ohio
- Final Location: Approximately 12 miles below Conneaut, Ohio, near Ashtabula on Lake Erie
- Date of Loss: November 20, 1851
- Cause of Loss: Collision with the schooner Quebec
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel Type
A wooden‑hulled two‑masted schooner typical of mid‑19th‑century Great Lakes grain and bulk freighters.
Description
Constructed by E. Tisdale in Cleveland, the Scioto measured:
- Length: 85 ft (25.9 m)
- Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Tonnage (old style): 130 tons
History
Built in 1841, the Scioto operated primarily on Lake Erie, engaged in the transport of grain and other cargoes. On April 25, 1848, she capsized near Cattaraugus Creek, New York. The crew escaped via small boat, and assistance from the propeller Detroit righted and towed her to Buffalo. By 1849, she was recorded at 125 tons, later increasing to 135 tons—reflecting modifications, though exact details are scarce (alcheminc.com, alcheminc.com).
Final Disposition
On November 20, 1851, the Scioto was carrying 5,700 bushels of wheat when she collided with the schooner Quebec about 12 miles offshore. The impact led to her sinking; no loss of life was reported. The precise wreck site has never been located and is not marked on modern navigational charts .
Located By & Date Found
Not located. There are no records of discovery or hydroacoustic surveys identifying her wreckage.
Notices & Advisories
None noted. The Scioto is not currently listed as a hazard and does not appear on contemporary charting systems.
Resources & Links
- Alchem, Inc. – Erie–Ashtabula Shipwreck Index (listed under alphabetical index; describes collision losses but does not detail Scioto specifically at Conneaut–Ashtabula) (alcheminc.com)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (category “O‑” includes small wood schooners of the era) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
(None of these link directly to Scioto, but together they corroborate the broader historical context.)
Conclusion
The Scioto was a mid‑19th‑century wooden schooner built and registered in Cleveland, Ohio. After a significant capsizing incident in 1848 from which she was salvaged and repaired, she continued active freight service until her loss in 1851. Sunk amid a collision with the Quebec, the wreck has never been located. Her loss exemplifies the navigational hazards of Great Lakes grain transportation during the era, though she left no direct archaeological trace.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Scioto, schooner, wood‑hulled, collision, 1851, Lake Erie, Conneaut, Ashtabula, wheat cargo, 19th century Great Lakes, maritime incident, capsized 1848