Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

William H. Vanderbilt US 26842

Explore the wreck of the William H. Vanderbilt, a three-masted schooner that foundered in 1883 off Long Point, Lake Erie, with a depth of approximately 30 feet.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: William H. Vanderbilt
  • Type: Three-masted wooden cargo schooner/barkentine
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Samuel J. Tripp (Hoyt Shipyard), Saginaw, MI
  • Dimensions: Length 169 ft (51.5 m); Beam 34.5-35 ft (10.5 m); Depth of hold 12.6 ft (3.8 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: ~520.65 tons gross
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 9 m / 30 ft
  • Location: Off Long Point, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 26842
  • Original Owners: Weaver & Moss; Morse & McDougall; S.L. Watson
  • Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The William H. Vanderbilt is classified as a three-masted wooden cargo schooner/barkentine, designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes.

Description

Launched on April 20, 1867, in East Saginaw, Michigan, the William H. Vanderbilt was built by Samuel J. Tripp at the Hoyt Shipyard. The vessel was rebuilt in 1871 after grounding near Chicago. It measured 169 feet in length, with a beam of 34.5 to 35 feet and a depth of 12.6 feet.

History

The original owner of the William H. Vanderbilt was Weaver & Moss of Buffalo, NY. Between 1871 and 1876, it was owned by Morse & McDougall of Saginaw, MI. By 1878, it was owned by S.L. Watson, also from Buffalo, NY. The vessel primarily engaged in the grain trade across the Great Lakes until it was converted for iron ore trade on Lake Superior.

Significant Incidents

  • Grounded near Chicago in 1871, leading to a significant rebuild.
  • Lost masts on April 11, 1878, near Cheboygan, Lake Huron.

Final Disposition

The William H. Vanderbilt foundered in a gale off Long Point on September 25, 1883, while carrying iron ore from Escanaba, MI, to Buffalo, NY. The crew was successfully rescued by a lifeboat from the Long Point lighthouse. The vessel was valued between $18,000 and $20,000 and was insured for $15,000. The cargo of iron ore was uninsured.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of 1887, a salvage effort by the schooner Louise recovered approximately 200 tons of iron ore from the wreck site. The remaining ore and hull were left in place. The wreck lies in approximately 26 to 30 feet of water.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The wreck of the William H. Vanderbilt serves as a historical reminder of the maritime trade in the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by vessels during severe weather conditions.