Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.H. Daley
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not recorded
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The W.H. Daley was a traditional wooden-hulled Great Lakes schooner, used primarily for hauling bulk cargo—such as coal—between lake ports. Like many schooners of her era, she was vulnerable to leaks and storm damage, particularly when heavily laden and under sail in foul weather.
Description
The W.H. Daley was a wooden schooner that primarily transported coal across Lake Erie. Her construction and design were typical of the mid-19th century, focusing on functionality for bulk cargo transport.
History
On September 8, 1860, while navigating Lake Erie during a storm, the W.H. Daley sprang a leak and eventually sank. Her crew, stranded amid the gale, survived by clinging to the rigging for 17 hours before being rescued. The event was likely traumatic but emblematic of the dangerous work involved in mid-19th-century Great Lakes commerce. No deaths were reported, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- September 8, 1860: The W.H. Daley sank in Lake Erie due to a storm-induced hull failure.
Final Disposition
The W.H. Daley sank in Lake Erie due to storm-induced hull failure. The final position of the wreck is unknown, and it is not a documented dive site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the W.H. Daley is not accessible for diving as its exact location is undocumented. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and practice no-touch documentation methods.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-h-daley-1856″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a reminder, when exploring shipwrecks like the W.H. Daley, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. Be the diver that makes a difference by preserving the history and integrity of these underwater sites.
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.
Here is the structured shipwreck report for the W.H. Davey (1856), formatted in Shotline Diving style and queued for addition to the Master Index under Lake Erie:
WRECK SUMMARY
- Type: Schooner
- Length: Not specified
- Loss of Life: None
- Location: Lake Erie
- GPS: Not recorded
- Depth: Unknown
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: W.H. Davey
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Built: 1856
- Flag/Registry: United States
- Date of Loss: September 8, 1860
- Final Resting Place: Lake Erie (exact coordinates not documented)
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Coal
- Casualties: None (entire crew survived after clinging to the rigging for 17 hours)
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The W.H. Davey was a traditional wooden-hulled Great Lakes schooner, used primarily for hauling bulk cargo—such as coal—between lake ports. Like many schooners of her era, she was vulnerable to leaks and storm damage, particularly when heavily laden and under sail in foul weather.
HISTORY
On September 8, 1860, while navigating Lake Erie during a storm, the W.H. Davey sprang a leak and eventually sank. Her crew, stranded amid the gale, survived by clinging to the rigging for 17 hours before being rescued.
The event was likely traumatic but emblematic of the dangerous work involved in mid-19th-century Great Lakes commerce. No deaths were reported, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
FINAL DISPOSITION
Sank in Lake Erie due to storm-induced hull failure. Final position unknown; not a documented dive site.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- Great Lakes Ships – Bowling Green State University
- GreatLakesShips.org