Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

T. H. Orton (1873)

Explore the wreck of the T. H. Orton, a wooden freight barge lost in a storm on Lake Erie in 1889. Discover its history and dive conditions.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: T. H. Orton
  • Type: Wooden bulk freight barge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 262 GRT
  • Location: Marblehead, Lake Erie, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The T. H. Orton was a wooden-hulled freight barge of 262 gross registered tons, purpose-built for hauling bulk cargo on Lake Erie. No detailed dimensions or engine configuration are currently available; these may be recovered from U.S. registry or shipping line records of the 1870s.

Description

The T. H. Orton is emblematic of late 19th-century Great Lakes freight barges that met their end during severe weather while anchored near harbor approaches. With no crew casualties, her loss reflects the effectiveness of the Lifesaving Service. Yet her physical remains and documentary trace remain obscure, presenting a clear opportunity for archival excavation and sonar-based localization. Targeted research in U.S. Customs records, station logs, and local newspapers may uncover her ownership, technical details, and exact final resting state.

History

Operational History: Served as an unpowered barge in a towline configuration via steamer.

Ownership: Specific ownership records are presently lacking. Archival research in Sandusky or Marblehead shipping registries from the 1870s–1880s may yield further data on owners, masters, or fleets.

Significant Incidents

On July 12, 1889, amid strong storm conditions on Lake Erie off Marblehead, Ohio, the T. H. Orton dragged her anchors. The violent weather drove her ashore, causing a total wreck. All crew were successfully rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service. No loss of life recorded.

Final Disposition

Salvage: The wreck was reportedly salvaged by 1891—presumably machinery, rigging, or cargo—before being wrecked again in the same area on July 14, 1891.

Wreck Condition: Likely broken wooden remains along the shoreline; exact coordinates are not documented in modern survey systems.

Hazard Advisories: No Notices to Mariners have been located. Local lighthouse or mariner logs from Marblehead may contain later references.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Likely broken wooden remains along the shoreline; exact coordinates are not documented in modern survey systems. Dive conditions are unknown—likely shallows accessible but hazardous due to breakage and surf zone.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”t-h-orton-1873″ title=”References & Links”]

Research gaps include the need for archival consultation of U.S. Customs Enrollment Records, Lifesaving Service station logs, and contemporary newspaper accounts. A geophysical survey using side-scan sonar or magnetometer off Marblehead State Park during calm seasons may locate buried wreck remains. Local museums may hold oral histories or photographs from the 1889 storm event.

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

  • Vessel: T. H. Orton
  • Built: 1873
  • Type: Wooden bulk freight barge, ~262 GRT
  • Loss Date: July 12, 1889
  • Location: Dragged anchors and wrecked in a storm at Marblehead, Lake Erie, Ohio (alcheminc.com)

Vessel Type & Description

The T. H. Orton was a wooden-hulled freight barge of 262 gross registered tons, purpose-built for hauling bulk cargo on Lake Erie. No detailed dimensions or engine configuration are currently available; these may be recovered from U.S. registry or shipping line records of the 1870s.

History & Ownership

  • Operational History: Served as an unpowered barge in a towline configuration via steamer.
  • Ownership: Specific ownership records are presently lacking. Archival research in Sandusky or Marblehead shipping registries from the 1870s–1880s may yield further data on owners, masters, or fleets.

Circumstances of Loss

On July 12, 1889, amid strong storm conditions on Lake Erie off Marblehead, Ohio, the T. H. Orton dragged her anchors. The violent weather drove her ashore, causing a total wreck. All crew were successfully rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service (Wikipedia). No loss of life recorded.

Salvage, Final Disposition & Dive Information

  • Salvage: The wreck was reportedly salvaged by 1891—presumably machinery, rigging, or cargo—before being wrecked again in the same area on July 14, 1891 (alcheminc.com).
  • Wreck Condition: Likely broken wooden remains along the shoreline; exact coordinates are not documented in modern survey systems.
  • Hazard Advisories: No Notices to Mariners have been located. Local lighthouse or mariner logs from Marblehead may contain later references.

Research Gaps & Next Steps

  • Primary Archives to Consult:
    • U.S. Customs Enrollment Records (Marblehead, Sandusky)
    • Lifesaving Service station logs (Marblehead)
    • Contemporary newspaper accounts (e.g., Marblehead Beacon, Sandusky Register)
  • Geophysical Survey: Side-scan sonar or magnetometer survey off Marblehead State Park during calm seasons may locate buried wreck remains.
  • Secondary Evidence: Local museums (Marblehead Lighthouse Museum) may hold oral histories or photographs from the 1889 storm event.

Keywords & Glossary

  • Region: Marblehead (Ottawa County, Ohio), Lake Erie
  • Type: Wooden bulk barge (unpowered)
  • Cause of Loss: Anchor drag during high wind storm
  • Hazards: Rocky shoals, storm-prone anchorages off Marblehead Point
  • Dive Difficulty: Unknown—likely shallows accessible but hazardous due to breakage and surf zone

Conclusion

The T. H. Orton is emblematic of late 19th-century Great Lakes freight barges that met their end during severe weather while anchored near harbor approaches. With no crew casualties, her loss reflects the effectiveness of the Lifesaving Service. Yet her physical remains and documentary trace remain obscure, presenting a clear opportunity for archival excavation and sonar-based localization. Targeted research in U.S. Customs records, station logs, and local newspapers may uncover her ownership, technical details, and exact final resting state.

t-h-orton-1873 1889-07-12 12:43:00