Unknown Schooner
LOCATION: Eastern Lake Erie. ~ 10 Miles [16km] N.E. of Dunkirk, NY, USA
DIVE CHARTER: Osprey
Dive Charters. Barcelona, NY
LIES: Upright on mud bottom.
CONDITION: Intact.
DEPTH: 75' [23m]
TYPE: Two-mast schooner
CARGO: None?
DIMENSIONS: 75' [23m] Length x ~20' [6m] beam
.
NOTES: · Gary
Kozack and Jim Herbert Located this site during the 2006 season. It is one
of three similar targets in this general location. · Moderate
to Heavy zebra mussel
infestation.
· The site appears to be
an empty hull with no sign of mast, bowsprit or rigging, other than 3-4 heavily
encrusted objects, presumed to be dead eyes, on the starboard, forward rail. The
hull, rail, and planking are intact on
the port and starboard sides. The
decking is missing. Several deck
beams are in place, located aft. No center posts were present. No cargo
was apparent, within a hands reach, beneath the mud bottom.
· The bow
is very rounded. Estimate the forward rail sits ~5'-7' [1.5-2m] above the bottom.
An anchor hangs from the starboard rail, stock pointing down, hanging
outboard. There is no indication of a windlass, anchor chain, or tow post. ·
The centerboard is located forward. No
trace of the means used to raise it. ·
The stern disappears into the bottom. I did not
observe a rudder or steering mechanism. A pump is located on the port side
near the last in place deck beam. ·
A good amount of line is draped about the
wreck, presumed to be fishing net remnants. ·
Diving this one left us will many questions: if
she was a barge, where are the tow post? If she was salvaged, why did they
leave the anchor? Why was the windlass removed?
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