Identification & Site Information

  • Name: B. S. Shepard
  • Former Names: None recorded
  • Official Registry Number: Not documented
  • Date Built & Launched: 1854
  • Builder: Not documented
  • Measurements: Length: 172 ft (52.4 m); Beam: Not documented; Depth: Not documented; Gross Tonnage: Not documented
  • Date Lost: October 20, 1863
  • Location of Loss: Point Pelee, Ontario, Lake Erie
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Oats
  • Final Disposition: Ran aground in fog and high seas; broke apart during salvage operations
  • Located By & Date Found: Not documented
  • NOTMARs & Advisories: None currently issued(Alchem Incorporated, beavertaillight.org)

Vessel Type

Wooden-hulled, three-masted Bark

Description

The B. S. Shepard was a wooden three-masted Bark constructed in 1854. Measuring 172 feet in length, she was designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. At the time of her loss, she was carrying a cargo of oats.

History

On October 20, 1863, the B. S. Shepard was navigating Lake Erie when she encountered fog and high seas near Point Pelee, Ontario. The vessel ran aground due to the poor Visibility and adverse weather conditions. Initially, she was not severely damaged. However, during salvage operations, the vessel broke apart, resulting in a Total Loss. Specific details regarding the salvage efforts and the fate of her crew are not documented in available records.(Alchem Incorporated)

Final Disposition

The B. S. Shepard broke apart during salvage operations after running aground near Point Pelee, Ontario. There is no record of successful salvage or recovery of the vessel. Her remains were likely left at the wreck site.(Alchem Incorporated)

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the B. S. Shepard has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the B. S. Shepard. Given the time elapsed and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The loss of the B. S. Shepard underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly those navigating in poor Visibility and adverse weather conditions. Her wreck near Point Pelee, Ontario, adds to the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in Lake Erie, contributing to the rich maritime history of the region. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the B. S. Shepard’s story is a testament to the perils of lake navigation during that era.(Alchem Incorporated)

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: B. S. Shepard, Lake Erie shipwreck, 19th-century Bark, oats transport, Point Pelee wreck
  • Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters of the 1860s, Grain Transport Vessels
  • Glossary Terms:
    • Bark: A sailing vessel with three or more masts, having the fore and main masts square-rigged and the aft mast rigged fore-and-aft.
    • Ran Aground: When a vessel runs onto the shore or seabed and is unable to float.
    • Salvage Operations: Efforts to recover a ship and its cargo after a wreck or grounding.(Alchem Incorporated)

Note: Due to the lack of precise location data and the time elapsed since the wreck, there is no shore dive information available for the B. S. Shepard.