Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Zephyr US 28018

Explore the wreck of the Zephyr, a wooden schooner lost in a storm on Lake Erie in 1869, with no loss of life and potential remains still to be discovered.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Zephyr
  • Type: Wooden Schooner (Two-Masted)
  • Year Built: 1857
  • Builder: G. Cantair, Detroit, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length: 101 ft (30.8 m); Beam: 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 144 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 45.7 m / 150 ft
  • Location: 15 miles east of Long Point, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 28018
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Zephyr was a wooden schooner, characterized by its two masts and designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes.

Description

The Zephyr was built in 1857 and was typical of mid-19th-century wooden schooners. It was primarily used to transport coal, lumber, and grain between major ports such as Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago. The vessel was entirely sail-powered and relied on manual pumping systems to manage water ingress during rough weather.

History

The Zephyr faced significant challenges during its operational history, particularly due to its vulnerability to storms. On June 10, 1869, while en route from Buffalo to Detroit carrying 250 tons of coal, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The crew struggled against strong winds and high waves, which led to leaks and flooding.

Significant Incidents

  • The Zephyr sprang a leak and began taking on water rapidly.
  • The crew abandoned the ship in a small boat after realizing it was doomed.
  • They survived an 18-hour struggle against the storm, eventually reaching Grand River, Ontario.

Final Disposition

The Zephyr sank in approximately 25 fathoms (150 feet) of water, making recovery unlikely. The wooden hull has likely deteriorated, but iron fittings, anchors, and remnants of the coal cargo may still remain. The low-oxygen environment of Lake Erie at deeper depths may have preserved parts of the ship’s structure.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is located 15 miles east of Long Point, Lake Erie, at a depth of 150 feet (45.7 meters). Modern sonar scans of Lake Erie’s deepwater wreck sites could potentially locate the remains of the Zephyr, which still appears on some historical ship lists, suggesting it was never salvaged.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The loss of the Zephyr is emblematic of the challenges faced by wooden schooners in the 19th century. As a part of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, her story reflects the dangers of stormy waters and the evolution of shipping technology.