Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Benjamin Franklin
  • Former Names: Also known as Ben Franklin or Gen. Franklin
  • Official Registry Number: 2381
  • Date Built & Launched: 1857, by D. McNett in Sodus, New York
  • Builder: D. McNett
  • Construction: Wooden, two-masted Schooner
  • Dimensions: Approximately 147 tons (specific dimensions not documented)
  • Date Lost: November 5, 1877
  • Place of Loss: Near Port Clinton, Ohio, Lake Erie(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Vessel Type

Wooden two-masted Schooner

Description

The Benjamin Franklin was a wooden two-masted Schooner constructed in 1857 by D. McNett in Sodus, New York. Designed for cargo transport, she had a tonnage of approximately 147 tons. The vessel was owned by Doville of Sodus, New York, and her homeport was Oswego.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

History

On November 5, 1877, the Benjamin Franklin was en route from Cleveland to Detroit, carrying a cargo of 300 tons of coal. During the voyage, she encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie, which drove her aground near Port Clinton, Ohio. Two weeks later, the Tug Oswego attempted to salvage the vessel. However, efforts to lower the water level inside the Schooner were unsuccessful, leading to the abandonment of the salvage operation. At the time of her loss, the Benjamin Franklin was valued at approximately $4,000.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition

After unsuccessful salvage attempts, the Benjamin Franklin was declared a Total Loss and Abandoned near Port Clinton, Ohio.

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, the wreck site of the Benjamin Franklin has not been located or documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no known navigational markers or advisories related to the Benjamin Franklin wreckage.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Benjamin Franklin serves as a testament to the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners navigating the Great Lakes. Her loss near Port Clinton, Ohio, underscores the perils of maritime transport during that era, particularly in the face of sudden and severe storms. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the story of her final voyage contributes to the rich maritime history of Lake Erie.