Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Shawnee
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1908
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length ~178 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio
- Original Owners: Associated with tug steamer M. T. Greene
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden bulk-freight schooner-barge (~178 ft)
Description
The Shawnee was a large wooden schooner-barge built in 1908 and operated as a non-self-propelled barge towed by steamers on Lake Erie. At the time of her loss, she was associated with the tug steamer M. T. Greene, primarily used in coal transport.
History
On May 16, 1911, the Shawnee broke loose from the tow of the steamer M. T. Greene during a storm and foundered on rocks near Cleveland, Ohio. She was carrying coal at the time of the incident. Fortunately, there were no casualties as all crew members were ashore and no one was aboard the barge when it sank.
Significant Incidents
- Event: Shawnee broke loose from the tow of the steamer M. T. Greene during a storm and foundered on rocks near Cleveland, Ohio.
- Cargo: Carrying coal at the time.
- Casualties: None — all crew were ashore (no one aboard).
- Aftermath: The barge was wrecked onshore and subsequently lost.
Final Disposition
The Shawnee was wrecked onshore and subsequently lost after breaking loose from her tow during a storm.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and further research may be needed to determine if any remnants remain or if salvage operations were conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”shawnee-1908″ title=”References & Links”]
Research opportunities include examining weather specifics from NOAA archives, retrieving May 1911 newspaper archives from Cleveland for detailed reports, and checking harbor authority logs for cleanup and wreck status.
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‑Barge, built 1908; lost May 16, 1911)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Type: Wooden bulk-freight schooner‑barge (~178 ft)
- Built: 1908; operated as a non-self-propelled barge towed by steamers on Lake Erie
- Owner/Operator: Associated with tug steamer M. T. Greene, used in coal transport
Incident Overview (May 16, 1911)
- Event: Shawnee broke loose from the tow of the steamer M. T. Greene during a storm and foundered on rocks near Cleveland, Ohio (turn0search5, turn0search2).
- Cargo: Carrying coal at the time
- Casualties: None — all crew were ashore (no one aboard)
- Aftermath: The barge was wrecked onshore and subsequently lost
Summary
The Shawnee was a large wooden schooner-barge built in 1908 and towed by the steam tug M. T. Greene. On May 16, 1911, she separated from her tow in a storm off Cleveland, struck rocks, and sank while laden with coal. As an unmanned barge at that moment, there were no casualties (turn0search5, turn0search2).
Further Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It Matters | Source Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Exact location & wreck details | Helps for dive maps or historical surveys | Cleveland marine charts; NOAA charts |
| Weather specifics | Sharpens understanding of storm conditions | NOAA storm archives—May 1911 |
| Tow vessel logs (M.T. Greene) | Contains eyewitness accounts | Marine field logs; shipping company records |
| Salvage or port cleanup | Determines if remnants were removed | Harbor authority logs; local newspapers |
| Crew and cargo details | Confirms crew list and manifest | Steamer’s shipping documents |
- Retrieve May 1911 newspaper archives from Cleveland for detailed reports
- Search NOAA weather archives for storm data on May 16, 1911
- Locate M. T. Greene tow logs or company records for the incident
- Check harbor authority logs or salvage reports for cleanup and wreck status