IIdentification & Site Information

  • Name: Eugene
  • Year Built: Circa 1863
  • Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Length: Approximately 64 feet (19.5 meters)
  • Beam: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
  • Draft: 4 feet 4 inches (1.3 meters)
  • Final Location: Near Point Pelee, Lake Erie
  • Date Lost: November 1865
  • Cause: Capsized during a gale while assisting in salvage operations

Vessel Type

The Eugene was a wooden scow Schooner, characterized by its flat-bottomed Hull and shallow Draft, making it suitable for navigating shallow waters and transporting bulk cargo.

Description

Built around 1863, the Eugene measured approximately 64 feet in length with a beam of 16 feet and a Draft of 4 feet 4 inches. Its scow design allowed for efficient cargo handling in shallow ports and rivers. In November 1865, under the command of Captain Breyman, the Eugene was chartered to assist in the salvage of the Schooner A. A. Cornwell, which had previously wrecked near Point Pelee, Lake Erie. Equipped with pumps and accompanied by a Tug, the Eugene reached the wreck site and commenced salvage operations.

History

During the salvage operation, a severe gale arose, prompting the accompanying Tug to depart for safety. Captain Breyman, deeming the wrecked Cornwell a safer refuge, transferred his wife and crew aboard the stranded vessel. Shortly thereafter, the Eugene broke loose, was swept away by the waves, and eventually capsized, drifting towards Point Pelee. The crew endured harsh conditions on the Cornwell, lashed to the wreck for safety, and subsisting on limited provisions until their rescue by the Schooner Lucy Clark on the following Tuesday. The Eugene was built in Fair Haven, Michigan, in 1865.

Final Disposition

The Eugene capsized and was lost near Point Pelee during the gale. Specific details about the recovery or current status of the vessel’s remains are not documented.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return – there is no known record of the Eugene‘s wreck being located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return – there are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the Eugene‘s wreck site.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Eugene‘s loss underscores the perils faced by 19th-century mariners, particularly during salvage operations in unpredictable weather conditions. The incident highlights the challenges of early marine salvage efforts and the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation during that era.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Eugene, scow Schooner, Point Pelee shipwreck, Lake Erie maritime history, 1865 gale, A. A. Cornwell salvage operation

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, 19th-Century Schooners, Salvage Operations

Glossary Terms:

Gale: A strong wind typically used to describe maritime weather conditions, often leading to hazardous situations for vessels.

Scow Schooner: A flat-bottomed vessel with squared ends, used primarily for transporting bulk cargo in shallow waters.

Salvage Operations: The process of recovering a ship and its cargo after a shipwreck or other maritime casualty.