Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Theodore Perry
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge (unrigged barge at time of loss)
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 137 × 26 × 11 ft; approx. 261 GT
- Registered Tonnage: 261 GT
- Location: Approximately 15 miles east of Rondeau Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 24163
- Original Owners: J. Prentice (Saginaw, MI)
- Number of Masts: Unrigged
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Theodore Perry was a wooden schooner-barge, which was unrigged at the time of its loss. Originally built in 1855, it underwent a conversion back to a schooner in 1872.
Description
The Theodore Perry measured 137 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 11 feet. It was constructed by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, NY, and had a registered tonnage of approximately 261 gross tons. At the time of its loss, it was in light condition and being towed with a cargo of coal.
History
The Theodore Perry was owned by J. Prentice of Saginaw, MI, and captained by Capt. McCormick. The vessel was towed by the propeller D. W. Powers when it sank.
Significant Incidents
- On July 22, 1887, approximately 15 miles east of Rondeau Point, the Theodore Perry dropped into a wave trough, struck the bottom, and opened its seams, sinking within five minutes.
- The crew consisted of seven members, of which only two survived the incident, resulting in five fatalities.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Theodore Perry remains unlocated and uncharted, resting likely at a depth of 60 to 100 feet in Lake Erie.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given the rapid sinking, the hull integrity may be preserved, although the seams may have sprung due to the impact with the bottom. The wreck has not yet been documented by divers or remote sensing.
Resources & Links
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The Theodore Perry serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the late 19th century, particularly in the coal transport industry on Lake Erie. Its potential for archaeological study remains significant due to its swift sinking and the cold, fresh waters of the lake.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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