Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sir Edmund W. Head
- Type: Wooden-hulled barkentine
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Louis Shickluna
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~338 tons (old-style measurement)
- Location: Approximately 18 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania
- Coordinates: Approximately 18 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania
- Number of Masts: Three masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Sir Edmund W. Head was a mid-19th-century barkentine rigged as a cargo vessel. The three-mast configuration (square sails on foremast, fore-and-aft on main and mizzen) offered a balance of power and handling, ideal for transporting bulk goods like coal across the Great Lakes.
Description
The barkentine was designed for cargo transport, featuring a wooden hull and a single deck. Its rigging allowed for effective navigation and maneuverability in various weather conditions.
History
- 1856–1869: Fleet service included multiple incidents: sail and anchor loss (1856–1858), hole/repairs (1861 Welland Canal), collision damage (1869 Detroit River), and grounding incidents (Lake Huron and Long Point). Despite these, she was refloated and repaired each time.
- 30 October 1870: While heading from Cleveland to St. Catharines laden with coal, Sir Edmund W. Head encountered a significant gale east of Erie. The storm drove her ashore and wrecked her beyond salvage. Four out of six on board were lost during this disaster.
Significant Incidents
- Multiple incidents during service including sail and anchor loss, collision damage, and grounding.
- Wrecked in a storm on 30 October 1870, resulting in four casualties.
Final Disposition
The barkentine stranded and was declared a total loss. The hull was broken up by waves and ice, leaving little recoverable material. No salvage records exist.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern archaeological dive or survey has targeted the wreck. Given distance from shore and dynamic lake conditions, wreckage likely lies in deep water and remains unconfirmed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sir-edmund-w-head-1856″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sir Edmund W. Head serves as a sobering reminder of the Great Lakes’ autumn tempestuousness in the 19th century. After a resilient service life, a violent storm claimed both the vessel and four lives on 30 October 1870. Though her physical remains remain undiscovered, the tragedy remains chronicled in Great Lakes maritime records.
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: Sir Edmund W. Head
- Year built: 1856, St. Catharines, Ontario by Louis Shickluna
- Type: Wooden-hulled barkentine, single deck, three masts
- Tonnage: ~338 tons (old-style measurement)
- Final loss date: 30 October 1870
- Location: Approximately 18 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
- Cargo: Coal
- Loss type: Wrecked in a storm
- Casualties: Four of six aboard perished; two survived
Vessel Type & Description
Sir Edmund W. Head was a mid‑19th-century barkentine rigged as a cargo vessel. The three‑mast configuration (square sails on foremast, fore-and‑aft on main and mizzen) offered a balance of power and handling, ideal for transporting bulk goods like coal across the Great Lakes.
History & Final Voyage
- 1856–1869: Fleet service included multiple incidents: sail and anchor loss (1856–1858), hole/repairs (1861 Welland Canal), collision damage (1869 Detroit River), and grounding incidents (Lake Huron and Long Point). Despite these, she was refloated and repaired each time.
- 30 October 1870: While heading from Cleveland to St. Catharines laden with coal, Sir Edmund W. Head encountered a significant gale east of Erie. The storm drove her ashore and wrecked her beyond salvage. Four out of six on board were lost during this disaster. (Links to the Past, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Alchem Inc., Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
The barkentine stranded and was declared a total loss. The hull was broken up by waves and ice, leaving little recoverable material. No salvage records exis
Located By & Date Found
No modern archaeological dive or survey has targeted the wreck. Given distance from shore and dynamic lake conditions, wreckage likely lies in deep water and remains unconfirmed.
Notmar & Navigation Advisories
No formal Notices to Mariners reference this wreck. However, Lake Erie’s offshore storm zones, particularly east of Erie, remain treacherous in late October. Modern mariners should continue to respect seasonal weather warnings and navigational charts.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Summarizes her loss: “…wrecked in storm; four of six lives lost” (entry D for Sir Edmund W. Head) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Wisconsin Genealogy History – Provides context on her build and registry (Links to the Past)
Conclusion
The Sir Edmund W. Head serves as a sobering reminder of the Great Lakes’ autumn tempestuousness in the 19th century. After a resilient service life, a violent storm claimed both the vessel and four lives on 30 October 1870. Though her physical remains remain undiscovered, the tragedy remains chronicled in Great Lakes maritime records.
Keywords & Glossary
- Keywords: Sir Edmund W. Head, barkentine wreck, Lake Erie storm, 1870 shipwreck
- Categories: Mid‑19th-century barkentine, coal transport, storm losses
- Glossary:
- Barkentine: Sailing vessel with square sails on the foremast and fore-and‑aft sails on remaining masts
- Old-style tonnage: Pre‑20th-century volumetric measurement
- Foundering: Filling with water and sinking; here, driven ashore and destroyed