Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William Kelley
- Type: Wood-hulled scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1859
- Builder: D. Lester in Newport, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 147 net tons
- Location: Near Windmill Point, Ontario
- Official Number: 26235
- Number of Masts: Unrigged at the time of loss
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The William Kelley was a wood-hulled scow-schooner, typically used for hauling bulk freight. It was primarily engaged in trade on Lake Erie.
Description
The vessel was built in 1859 by D. Lester in Newport, Michigan. At the time of its loss, it was unrigged, indicating it may have been operating as a scow.
History
The William Kelley operated largely on Lake Erie, engaging in the transport of goods, particularly oak and black walnut lumber.
Significant Incidents
- Final wreck occurred on October 30, 1870, during a severe storm.
- All seven crew members were lost, with no survivors reported.
Final Disposition
The schooner was completely wrecked, and no salvage of the hull or cargo is recorded. The loss is documented in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is currently unconfirmed, and no known salvage operations have taken place since the loss.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”william-kelley-us-26235″ title=”References & Links”]
The William Kelley remains a significant historical wreck in Lake Erie, representing the dangers faced by mariners in the 19th century.
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.
(Scow-Schooner, built 1859 – wrecked 1870)
Vessel Identification
- Name: WILLIAM KELLEY (also recorded as “William Kelly”)
- Official Number: 26235
- Built: 1859 by D. Lester in Newport, Michigan
- Type: Wood-hulled scow-schooner (typically used for hauling bulk freight)
- Tonnage: Approximately 147 net tons
- Trade: Operating largely on Lake Erie
Final Wreck – October 30, 1870
- Date: 30 October 1870
- Location: Near Windmill Point, Ontario, on Lake Erie
- Cargo: Oak and black walnut lumber
- Cause: Driven ashore and wrecked during a severe storm
- Casualties: All seven crew members were lost (no survivors) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Status & Aftermath
- The schooner was unrigged at the time of loss, suggesting it may have been operating as a scow.
- The ship was completely wrecked—no salvage of hull or cargo is recorded.
- Her loss is documented succinctly in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files:
“Date of loss: 1870, Oct 30 … Type of loss: storm. Loss of life: 7 [all]. Carrying: oak and black walnut lumber” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Opportunities
To build a fuller historical account:
- Newspaper Archives (Oct–Nov 1870): Search Erie Citizen, Sandusky Register, and Ontario papers for reports on the storm, casualty list, and possible rescue or recovery efforts.
- Enrollment Records (NARA Region 5): Could reveal master’s name, crew list, and final documentation, along with possible insurance claims.
- Harbor Logs & Underwriter Files: Canadian port logs (Windmill Point) and insurance records may include official statements, valuation reports, and cause descriptions.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1859, Newport, MI |
| Type | Wood scow-schooner, ~147 net tons |
| Final Wreck | 30 Oct 1870, storm-driven grounding |
| Location | Windmill Point, Lake Erie, ON |
| Cargo | Oak & black walnut lumber |
| Casualties | 7 crew lost |
| Salvage | No salvage; total loss confirmed |