Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William Case
- Type: Wooden Three-Masted Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Roderick Calkins
- Dimensions: Length 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam 27 ft (8.2 m); Depth of hold 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 267 tons; Net: 254 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 7.62 m / 25 ft
- Location: Approximately five miles northeast by north of Colchester Shoal Light
- Original Owners: Black Diamond Transportation Company of Detroit, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Names:
- Original: Wm. Case
- Later Name: William Case
- Also Known As: The British Schooner Wm. Case
Description
The William Case, originally known as the Wm. Case, was a wooden three-masted schooner-barge built in 1855 by Roderick Calkins in Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel was primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes, contributing to the vibrant maritime trade that was crucial to the economy of the region.
History
The vessel’s robust design allowed it to carry significant loads of goods, particularly coal, which was a vital resource during the industrialization of the United States and Canada. Over the years, the William Case changed ownership several times, reflecting the fluid nature of the maritime industry during this period.
In 1901, the William Case was temporarily sold to Canadian ownership, reflecting the close commercial ties between the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes region. However, the vessel was re-enrolled as an American ship later that same year, continuing its operations under various owners, including its final owner, the Black Diamond Transportation Company of Detroit, Michigan.
Significant Incidents
Despite its long service, the William Case encountered several challenges typical of vessels operating on the Great Lakes. These included the ever-present danger of storms, which frequently led to maritime disasters.
Final Disposition
On July 26, 1906, the William Case set out from Cleveland, Ohio, bound for Bay City, Michigan, with a cargo of 575 tons of soft coal. As the vessel sailed across Lake Erie, it was caught in a severe storm. The powerful winds and waves battered the schooner-barge, causing its seams to open and water to flood into the hold.
Despite the crew’s best efforts to keep the vessel afloat, the situation quickly deteriorated. The William Case, which was being towed by the steamer Saginaw at the time, was no match for the ferocity of the storm. The Saginaw’s crew worked tirelessly to save the six crew members aboard the William Case, successfully transferring them to safety before the schooner-barge foundered.
The exact location of the sinking was approximately five miles northeast by north of Colchester Shoal Light in Lake Erie. The William Case sank in 25 feet of water, becoming a permanent fixture on the lakebed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies on the lakebed and has not been salvaged. The sinking of the William Case is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Its story serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who made their living on these inland seas.
Resources & Links
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
Further research into the William Case may uncover additional details about its construction, service history, and the specific circumstances of its final voyage. Continuous monitoring of maritime history archives and shipwreck databases will ensure that any new information about the William Case is integrated into its historical narrative.