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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”theodore-perry-us-24163″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: Theodore Perry
- Official No.: 24163
- Type: Wooden schooner‑barge (unrigged barge at time of loss)
- Built: 1855 by Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY; converted to schooner again in 1872 by Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee
- Dimensions: 137 × 26 × 11 ft; approx. 261 GT
- Condition at Loss: Light, in tow of the propeller D. W. Powers, bound Buffalo → East Saginaw
- Cargo: Coal
- Master: Capt. McCormick
- Owner: J. Prentice (Saginaw, MI) (alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss (July 22, 1887, Lake Erie)
- Occurring ~15 miles east of Rondeau Point, Theodore Perry, being towed with her sister barges, dropped into a wave trough, struck bottom, and “opened her seams.” She sank in under five minutes.
- Crew of seven, but only two survived—five lost their lives. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Site & Physical Condition
- Location: Approximately 15 miles east of Rondeau Point, Lake Erie
- Site Details: Wreck rests mid-lake in likely 60–100 ft of water. Given rapid sinking, hull integrity may be preserved, though seams may have sprung—indicating structural failure at the bottom impact. Wreck remains unlocated/surveyed.
Notices & Navigational Risk
- No evidence of Notices to Mariners or hazard buoy deployment; mid-lake location preempted marking.
Sources & Archival Documentation
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“P” section): official number, build history, cargo details, sinking summary, crew fatalities. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Alchem, Inc. Lake Erie Shipwreck Map: corroborated sinking date, location, casualties, and cargo. (alcheminc.com)
- Wisconsin maritime history commentary: confirmed crew loss count. (linkstothepast.com)
Key Facts Summary
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sinking Date | July 22, 1887 |
| Cause of Loss | Struck bottom under swells → opened seams |
| Vessel Status | Unrigged schooner-barle, light cargo |
| Casualties | 5 of 7 lost, including Capt. McCormick |
| Site Location | ~15 miles east of Rondeau Point, likely 60–100 ft depth |
| Survey Status | Wreck not yet documented by divers or remote sensing |
Next Research & Archaeological Suggestions
- Precise location modeling: simulate drift and towing path with NOAA weather archives (July 1887) to predict wreck drift.
- Newspaper accounts: review late July 1887 Detroit Free Press, Port Huron Times, Sarnia Observer for incident reports and crew names.
- Owner & Tow-boat logs: seek J. Prentice shipping records or D. W. Powers captain’s logs for event details.
- Underwater survey: use side-scan sonar along probable sinking corridor; seek hull structure in uncharted mid-lake zones.
- Victim records: consult Ontario and Michigan death/insurance records for names of five crew lost.
Archaeological & Historical Importance
- Vessel Transition: Embodies mid-late 19th-century cargo vessels shifting between sail and tow service.
- Tragic Human Toll: Five sailors lost at dawn highlights the perilous nature of eastbound Lake Erie coal transport.
- Preservation Potential: Swift sinking, cold fresh water, and minimal disturbance suggest the wreck could be intact, offering strong research value in wooden marine construction and seam integrity.