Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: 101 ft 2 in (30.8 m); Beam: 22 ft 2 in; Depth of hold: 8 ft 9 in
- Registered Tonnage: 178.93 tons
- Location: Fairport, Ohio
- Original Owners: Elin Morgan & Wimott, Cleveland, Ohio & Oswego, New York; later owned by R.T. Lyon, Cleveland
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Identification & Profile
- Name: William
- Year Built: 1847
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Masts: 2
- Original Owners: Elin Morgan & Wimott, Cleveland, Ohio & Oswego, New York
Description
Dimensions
- Length: 101 ft 2 in
- Beam: 22 ft 2 in
- Depth: 8 ft 9 in
- Tonnage (Old Style): 178.93 tons
History
Operational History & Incidents
- 1847, Sep 1: Enrolled at Cleveland, OH; construction cost $7,520
- 1848: Operated Cleveland to Buffalo with grain
- 1848, Aug 31: Ashore near Grand River with 330 barrels of salt; waterlogged
- 1850, Apr 11: Owned by R.T. Lyon, Cleveland
- 1850, Nov 29: Ashore on rocks with railroad iron; released by Belle
- 1854, Aug 15: Drove against breakwater with staves near Buffalo, NY
- 1854, Nov 16: Secured at Buffalo after losing spars and rigging in storm near Kelley’s Island; en route to Detroit with coal
Significant Incidents
Final Disposition
- Date of Loss: September 22, 1859
- Cause: Ashore in gale, pounded to pieces
- Location: Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Casualties: Not recorded
- Cargo at Loss: Not specified
Final Disposition
Historical Significance
The William (1847) was a standard Great Lakes schooner, active in early bulk cargo trade. Her frequent incidents reflect the perils of Lake Erie navigation in the mid-19th century, especially near harbor approaches and in seasonal gales. She was ultimately wrecked near Fairport, Ohio, consistent with loss patterns of similar vessels.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Source References
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection
- Regional port and enrollment documents (Cleveland, Buffalo)
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”william-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
Keywords and Categories
- Region: Lake Erie, Fairport, OH
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Cause of Loss: Gale, wrecked ashore
- Material: Wood
- Period: 1847–1859
- Final Status: Total loss
- Cargoes Carried: Grain, salt, railroad iron, coal, staves
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.
Vessel Identification & Profile
- Name: William
- Year Built: 1847
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Masts: 2
- Original Owners: Elin Morgan & Wimott, Cleveland, Ohio & Oswego, New York
Dimensions
- Length: 101 ft 2 in
- Beam: 22 ft 2 in
- Depth: 8 ft 9 in
- Tonnage (Old Style): 178.93 tons
Operational History & Incidents
- 1847, Sep 1: Enrolled at Cleveland, OH; construction cost $7,520
- 1848: Operated Cleveland to Buffalo with grain
- 1848, Aug 31: Ashore near Grand River with 330 barrels of salt; waterlogged
- 1850, Apr 11: Owned by R.T. Lyon, Cleveland
- 1850, Nov 29: Ashore on rocks with railroad iron; released by Belle
- 1854, Aug 15: Drove against breakwater with staves near Buffalo, NY
- 1854, Nov 16: Secured at Buffalo after losing spars and rigging in storm near Kelley’s Island; en route to Detroit with coal
Final Disposition
- Date of Loss: September 22, 1859
- Cause: Ashore in gale, pounded to pieces
- Location: Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Casualties: Not recorded
- Cargo at Loss: Not specified
Historical Significance
The William (1847) was a standard Great Lakes schooner, active in early bulk cargo trade. Her frequent incidents reflect the perils of Lake Erie navigation in the mid-19th century, especially near harbor approaches and in seasonal gales. She was ultimately wrecked near Fairport, Ohio, consistent with loss patterns of similar vessels.
Source References
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection
- Regional port and enrollment documents (Cleveland, Buffalo)
Keywords and Categories
- Region: Lake Erie, Fairport, OH
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Cause of Loss: Gale, wrecked ashore
- Material: Wood
- Period: 1847–1859
- Final Status: Total loss
- Cargoes Carried: Grain, salt, railroad iron, coal, staves