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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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