Wooden Scow‑Schooner – Lake Erie, Put‑in‑Bay Harbor

Identification & Site Information

• Name: H. Langley
• Type: Wooden scow‑Schooner, two‑mast cargo vessel (chroniclesofamerica.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Date of Loss: 15 October 1867 (Trove)
• Location: Entering Put‑in‑Bay harbor, Lake Erie
• Cargo: Stone
• Loss of Life: None reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Vessel Specifications

• Built circa 1867, likely at or serving out of Detroit, Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Hull construction: wooden scow‑Schooner design typical of shallow‑Draft Erie stone barges
• Registry: Michigan / Detroit trading routes

Incident Description

While approaching Put‑in‑Bay harbor on 15 October 1867, H. Langley encountered a mechanical failure combined with worsening storm conditions. Her rudder proved insufficient to maintain control, causing the vessel to surge leeward. She ran aground and, in the ensuing heavy swell and gale, quickly broke up into a total wreck. The crew survived without loss of life. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition

H. Langley was declared a Total Loss shortly after grounding in Put‑in‑Bay harbor. Her wooden Hull was destroyed by wave action and storm surge, with no salvage noted.

History & Ownership

• Out of Detroit, engaged in transporting rip‑rap stone and similar cargoes on Lake Erie trade routes (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Vessel likely operated under one of the stone‑Barge lines servicing harbour construction and Breakwater projects

Wreck Status & Diving Notes

• No underwater remains recorded; sinking occurred in shallow harbor and damage was catastrophic.
• No modern dive survey or site documentation exists.

Notices to Mariners & Official Warnings

• No formal Notice to Mariners or hazard bulletins documented from 1867 concerning this wreck, reflecting limited official reporting in merchant harbors of the era.

Research Gaps & Recommendations

• Dock authority and journal records from Put‑in‑Bay (Sandusky County) may contain docking logs, wreck reports, or even salvage records.
• Newspaper archives (Sandusky Register, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Detroit newspapers) for mid‑October 1867 may offer first-hand accounts or identify the master and owner.
• Shipping registers or maritime insurance ledgers from Detroit (circa 1867) may contain vessel specifications and ownership details.

Resources & References

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“L‑section”) – entry H. Langley: Provides incident summary, location, loss type, cargo, and outcomes with loss date and origin details (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Keywords & Categories

Scow‑Schooner, Put‑in‑Bay, Erie harbor, mechanical rudder failure, stone cargo, total wreck, 1867 storm, no casualties.

Summary

The H. Langley, a wooden scow‑Schooner out of Detroit carrying stone, lost rudder control under storm conditions while entering Put‑in‑Bay Harbor on 15 October 1867, driving ashore and breaking up rapidly. The crew escaped unharmed. This incident reflects the vulnerability of lightly‑built harbor barges in adverse weather when control systems fail. Very limited physical or documentary remains exist; further research into harbor logs or period newspapers may yield additional insights.