Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SUCCESS
- Type: Wooden Schooner (Former Convict Ship)
- Year Built: 1790
- Builder: Moulmein, Burma
- Dimensions: Length: 135 ft (41.1 m); Beam: 29 ft (8.8 m); Depth of hold:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 4.6 m / 15 ft
- Location: Near Port Clinton, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 31.321′ N, 82° 54.705′ W
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SUCCESS was a wooden schooner constructed from Burmese teak, renowned for its strength and durability. Initially designed as an armed merchantman for the East India Company, the ship was copper-fastened and constructed using treenails, a testament to its robust build. Over its long service life, the vessel was repurposed numerous times, transitioning from a convict transport to a prison hulk, and finally to an exhibition ship.
Description
The SUCCESS rests in 15 feet (4.6 meters) of water near Port Clinton, Ohio. Though scattered and degraded, the wreck remains a site of immense historical interest, attracting divers and historians intrigued by its multifaceted story.
Wreck Features:
- Condition: The ship’s remains are scattered across the lakebed, with some parts likely buried under sediment.
- Historical Value: While not well-preserved, the site offers a tangible connection to one of the Great Lakes’ most storied vessels.
- Accessibility: Shallow depth makes the wreck easy to explore, particularly for recreational divers.
History
Historical Highlights
- 1790: Launched in Burma as an East India merchantman.
- Early Service: Operated in the Bay of Bengal. Survived pirate capture and engagements with a French armed vessel.
- 1802–1852: Repurposed as a convict transport for England-to-Australia voyages, became infamous for its harsh conditions, symbolizing the cruelty of the penal system.
- 1852–1885: Converted into a prison hulk and later used as a women’s prison and ammunition storehouse.
- 1885: Maliciously scuttled in Sydney but salvaged and turned into a traveling museum.
Significant Incidents
Later Years
- Exhibited at ports worldwide, including the Great Lakes, as a museum ship showcasing its dramatic history.
- July 4th (1919?): Sank near Port Clinton, Ohio. Stripped of valuable components, its demise remains shrouded in mystery.
Final Disposition
The SUCCESS is a remarkable shipwreck that transcends its physical remains to embody the history of maritime evolution, penal systems, and 19th-century exhibitions. With a story that spans six continents and over a century of service, the SUCCESS remains a unique draw for divers and historians. Its sinking in Lake Erie on Independence Day adds a symbolic end to a vessel that once represented both oppression and intrigue.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific NOTMARs are related to the SUCCESS. Divers and boaters should exercise caution due to shallow waters and scattered debris.
Resources & Links
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The SUCCESS remains a site of immense historical interest, attracting divers and historians intrigued by its multifaceted story. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories while exploring this significant wreck.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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