Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. T. Sherman
- Type: wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: unknown, likely on Lake Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: unknown
- Location: Eastern Lake Ontario, off Cape Vincent or nearby Ontario shore
- Coordinates: unknown
- Official Number: unknown
- Original Owners: unknown
- Number of Masts: unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, typical of the period.
Description
The W. T. Sherman was a wooden schooner built in 1869, likely on Lake Michigan. She was engaged in trade, carrying cargo across the Great Lakes.
History
On her final voyage, the W. T. Sherman departed Cape Vincent, New York, bound for Oswego with a cargo of barley. On October 19, 1877, she struck an underwater obstruction, possibly a rock or shoal, which caused her hull to spring a leak. Despite efforts to manage the leak, the vessel began to founder and was forced toward the shore, ultimately running aground near the eastern Ontario shoreline.
Significant Incidents
- Incident Date: October 19, 1877
- Incident Location: Eastern Lake Ontario, off Cape Vincent or nearby Ontario shore
- None of the crew were reported lost; they either abandoned ship or were rescued.
Final Disposition
The W. T. Sherman was declared a total constructive loss once she grounded. No significant salvage efforts were documented, and the vessel was abandoned in place.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Precise coordinates of the wreck are absent, and while reported ashore, further research is needed to locate her exact position. Local Ontario shoreline surveys or coastal charts from 1877 may provide additional insights.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-t-sherman-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the W. T. Sherman highlights the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. Further research into maritime registries, customs documents, and regional newspapers is essential to complete her profile and potentially locate remnants of her hull or cargo.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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