Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Wild Rover (1855)

Explore the wreck of the Wild Rover, a wooden schooner lost in Lake Erie, accessible for divers and snorkelers.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wild Rover
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1855
  • Builder: Wilson & Fountain
  • Dimensions: Length: 117 ft (35.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 213.79 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 18 ft
  • Location: Two miles above Long Point, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: Loran Coordinates: 44502.5 58476.7
  • Original Owners: Bliss O. Wilcox and associates; Wilcox & Fountain; Jno. McKay

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wild Rover was a wooden schooner designed for the transportation of bulk goods, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Known for their reliability and versatility, schooners like the Wild Rover played a vital role in supporting the regional economy by carrying essential commodities such as block stone and agricultural products.

Description

The Wild Rover was built in Fairport, Ohio, launched in 1855, and enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio. It was designed for bulk transport, reflecting the maritime commerce of its time.

History

Construction and Early Ownership: Built in Fairport, Ohio, the Wild Rover was launched in 1855 and enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio. By 1859, ownership transferred to Bliss O. Wilcox and associates from Fairport, and by 1863, Wilcox & Fountain became its owners.

Major Incidents:

  • 1860: Ran ashore at South Bay Point, Lake Ontario; successfully refloated.
  • 1862: A tragic overboard incident near Point Abino, Lake Erie, resulted in a fatality.
  • 1866: Sank in the St. Lawrence River off Brockville, carrying corn for Ogdensburg, NY. The vessel was raised and repaired.

Rebuild and Ownership Transfer: Rebuilt in 1865, increasing its gross tonnage to 213.79 tons. By 1871, ownership passed to Jno. McKay of Cleveland, Ohio.

Final Voyage and Loss: On November 9, 1874, the Wild Rover, carrying block stone to Toronto, ran ashore near Francis Palms, Long Point, Lake Erie. With little hope of salvaging the cargo, the vessel was abandoned, marking its total loss. By June 1876, ship materials from the Wild Rover were recovered and transported back to Cleveland aboard the schooner Phantom.

Significant Incidents

  • 1860: Ran ashore at South Bay Point, Lake Ontario; successfully refloated.
  • 1862: A tragic overboard incident near Point Abino, Lake Erie, resulted in a fatality.
  • 1866: Sank in the St. Lawrence River off Brockville, carrying corn for Ogdensburg, NY. The vessel was raised and repaired.

Final Disposition

The Wild Rover was declared a total loss following its grounding near Long Point in 1874. Efforts to salvage materials in 1876 signaled the end of its active presence in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Wild Rover lies in 18 feet (6 meters) of water, making it accessible to snorkelers and divers. Given its shallow depth, it is an ideal site for recreational exploration, though the condition of the wreck, due to time and environmental factors, may vary.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Wild Rover stands as a testament to the endurance and vulnerability of schooners in the Great Lakes. Its life, marked by service, misfortune, and eventual loss, contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history. The vessel’s wreck site near Long Point, Lake Erie, offers divers and historians a tangible connection to the challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation.