Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Uncle Tom
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: E. Easterbrook, St. Clair, Michigan
- Dimensions: 81 ft x 20 ft x 7 ft (24.7 m x 6.1 m x 2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 116 tons
- Location: Off Long Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Henry Geisse, Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Uncle Tom was a wooden schooner, a common sailing vessel on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These vessels were used to transport lumber, grain, and manufactured goods between the growing port cities along the lakes.
Description
Built in 1842 by E. Easterbrook in St. Clair, Michigan, the Uncle Tom was likely involved in regional trade along Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and other nearby waterways. Schooners like this were vital for the early Great Lakes economy, connecting Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario with essential supplies and commercial goods.
On September 17, 1849, the Uncle Tom was caught in a storm off Long Point, Ontario. The ship stranded and wrecked, suffering a total loss of $2,000, including both the vessel and its cargo. Given the estimated value, it was likely carrying timber, grain, or general trade goods.
Some sources list the loss as occurring in 1848, though the vessel was still registered as of June 1849, making 1849 the more likely date.
History
The Uncle Tom was declared a total loss, and any remains of the vessel were likely scattered by wave action or buried in the sand off Long Point, a notorious shipwreck graveyard.
Significant Incidents
- The Uncle Tom was lost in a storm on September 17, 1849.
- Some records suggest the loss occurred in 1848, but registration records indicate 1849.
Final Disposition
The Uncle Tom was declared a total loss, and any remains of the vessel were likely scattered by wave action or buried in the sand off Long Point, a notorious shipwreck graveyard.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented.
Long Point, Ontario, is a known hazard for ships, with many vessels lost in shallow waters and shifting sandbars.
No modern navigational hazards linked to this wreck exist today.
Resources & Links
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The Uncle Tom was one of many early schooners lost to storms on Lake Erie, highlighting the dangers of navigating near Long Point. While no confirmed wreckage has been located, its loss in 1849 (or 1848) remains a part of Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the perils faced by 19th-century lake traders.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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