Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Venice
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Bagnall in Rochester, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 217 tons
- Location: Stranded off Pelee Island Lighthouse
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 25556
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner.
Description
The Venice was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1847. It had a registered tonnage of 217 tons and was constructed by Bagnall in Rochester, New York.
History
The Venice served in various capacities on the Great Lakes until its loss in 1879. It was noted for its wooden structure and typical schooner design.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded on a shoal near Pelee Island on August 16, 1879.
- Reportedly found “high and dry” by a passing captain.
- Despite initial salvage hopes, the vessel succumbed to exposure and wave action, leading to its total loss.
Final Disposition
The Venice was ultimately wrecked and broken apart on the shoal, becoming a total loss by the end of the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not well-documented, but it is considered to have been broken up on the shoal.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”venice-us-25556″ title=”References & Links”]
Divers interested in the Venice can explore the area near Pelee Island, where the wreck is located, while adhering to no-touch documentation practices.
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.
(wooden two-masted schooner, 1847–1879)
- Built: 1847 by Bagnall in Rochester, New York
- Official No.: 25556
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Tonnage: 217 tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com)
- Loss Date: August 16, 1879
- Location: Stranded and wrecked off Pelee Island Lighthouse, Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Incident: Found stranded on a shoal; considered wrecked—reportedly “high and dry” by a passing captain; emerged fully wrecked by end of incident
- Casualties: None reported
Incident Details
A passing skipper observed the Venice stranded “high and dry” on the shoal near Pelee Island. Despite initial salvage hopes, her wooden structure succumbed to exposure and wave action, breaking apart and becoming a total loss on the reef (alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1847, Rochester, NY |
| Tonnage | 217 tons |
| Lost | Aug 16, 1879; stranded off Pelee Island |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Fate | Wrecked and broken up on shoal |
Suggested Further Research
- Pelee Island News Archives (Aug 1879): Search Windsor Star or Sandwich Observer for eyewitness accounts
- Port Entry Records: Document salvage attempts and formal wreck declarations
- Underwriter Ledgers (Buffalo/Sandwich): May contain claim details and valuation