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.

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: SWALLOW
• Type: Steam Barge
• Build Year & Location: 1873, Trenton, Michigan by A.A. Turner.

The SWALLOW was built in Trenton, Michigan, in 1873 by the shipbuilder A.A. Turner, a craftsman known for producing durable Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th century. Turner’s work contributed significantly to the maritime economy of the region, particularly with vessels like the SWALLOW, which were designed to serve the growing demands of cargo transport and lumber trade on the Great Lakes.

Measurements:

• Length: 133 ft (40.5 m)
• Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Depth: 10 ft (3 m)
• Gross Tonnage: Initially 256 tons; later adjusted to 265.67 tons.

Final Depth: 190 ft (60 m)

Location: Long Point, Lake Erie

GPS Coordinates: 42° 34.892′ N, 79° 56.455′ W

Fate: Foundered during a gale on October 19, 1901.

Vessel Type:

The SWALLOW was a steam barge, designed to transport cargo such as lumber, shingles, and cedar posts across the Great Lakes. It also had the capacity for towing other vessels, making it a versatile addition to the shipping industry.

Chronological History:

• 1873: Launched in Trenton, Michigan, and enrolled in Detroit. Initially operated between Saginaw, Michigan, and Ogdensburg, New York.
• 1875: Collided with the steamer FRED KELLEY in Toledo, Ohio, causing damage that required significant repairs.
• 1877: Pulled off the beach near Port Stanley after grounding.
• 1879-1885: Ownership transferred multiple times, with notable repairs in 1880 and 1884.
• 1886: Damaged and sank during a squall in Lake Michigan but was raised.
• 1887-1890: Involved in numerous incidents, including running aground on Dunlap’s Reef and ownership changes. Used extensively in the lumber trade.
• 1896: Stranded on rocks off Point Lafayette while towing vessels in the Detroit River.
• 1900: Sank after a collision with the steamer SIR WILLIAM SIEMENS in the St. Clair River while carrying cedar posts and shingles. Raised shortly afterward.
• 1901: On October 19, foundered in Lake Erie during a gale approximately 10 miles off Long Point. The crew of eleven escaped to the barge MANITOU, which was towed to Erie, Pennsylvania, by the steamer WALTER SCRANTON.

Final Dispositions:

The SWALLOW rests approximately 190 ft (60 m) below the surface in Lake Erie near Long Point. The wreck marks the end of a storied history of accidents, salvage efforts, and numerous changes in ownership.

Located By & Date Found:

No specific records of the wreck’s rediscovery are available, but the location is known to divers and maritime historians.

Notices & Advisories:

Due to its depth, this wreck is suitable for advanced technical divers with experience in deep-water wreck exploration. The remains, if present, may be dispersed due to the turbulent conditions of Lake Erie.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes for detailed records of the SWALLOW and similar vessels.
• C. Patrick Labadie Great Lakes Maritime Collection for historical documents and photographs.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society for resources on preservation and diving opportunities.

Suggested Keywords:

SWALLOW shipwreck, Lake Erie wrecks, Long Point maritime history, Great Lakes steam barges, historic vessel collisions.

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