Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Henry Clay
  • Type: Wooden Propeller, Package Freighter
  • Date of Construction: 1849
  • Builder: Ruggles & Shupe, Milan, Ohio
  • Dimensions: Length: 134 feet (40.8 meters), Width: 23 feet (7 meters), Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
  • Tonnage: 316 tons
  • Final Disposition: Sank near the tip of Long Point, Lake Erie, October 25 or 27, 1851

Vessel Type Description

The Henry Clay was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven package freighter designed to transport goods and passengers across the Great Lakes. Built by Ruggles & Shupe in Milan, Ohio, the vessel reflected the evolving shipping technology of the mid-19th century, combining a propeller-driven propulsion system with a robust Hull to handle the varied cargo demands on Lake Erie. Its design was well-suited for package freight, enabling it to navigate the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

History

Constructed in 1849, the Henry Clay operated as a package freighter on Lake Erie, carrying passengers and assorted cargo, such as baled wool. With its size and capability, the vessel symbolized the promise of growth and safe passage across the lake’s waters. However, the Henry Clay met a tragic fate on a late October voyage in 1851 when it encountered a severe storm near Long Point.

A Stormy End

On October 25 or 27, 1851, the Henry Clay embarked on what would be its final voyage. As the vessel sailed near the tip of Long Point, it was struck by a powerful storm that unleashed severe winds and violent waves. The baled wool, stored as cargo, began shifting within the vessel as it struggled against the gales. This shift compromised the vessel’s balance, causing it to heel dangerously and ultimately break apart in the storm, leading to its sinking and claiming the lives of 16 to 19 individuals, though some sources suggest as many as 30 souls perished. Among them were 29 crew members and a female passenger.

The Survivor’s Tale

David Keefe, a deckhand and the sole survivor of the Henry Clay disaster, later recounted the harrowing events of that night. According to Keefe, Captain George Callard and a female passenger were lashed to the rigging in a desperate attempt to survive, while crew members clung to whatever they could as the storm battered the vessel. As the waves continued their relentless assault, the ship’s Deck and cabins tore free and floated away. Captain Callard’s attempts to save the female passenger were in vain as both he and others were lost to the waters. Keefe himself managed to grab a rope thrown from a passing Brig, the John Martin, and was pulled to safety, making him the sole witness to the vessel’s tragic end.

Final Disposition

The Henry Clay broke apart and sank near Long Point on Lake Erie. The exact number of lives lost remains uncertain, with reports ranging from 16 to 30 casualties. The incident underscores the perilous nature of 19th-century lake navigation and the dangers posed by shifting cargo and severe storms.

Located By & Date

The precise wreck location of the Henry Clay near Long Point has not been definitively documented or located, and it is presumed to remain on the lakebed, lost to time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Henry Clay, though mariners are advised to use caution in areas near Long Point due to its known history of shipwrecks and navigational hazards.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Henry Clay remains undiscovered, and any wreckage would likely be in a highly deteriorated state due to the passage of time and the storm that led to its destruction. The wreck is presumed to lie at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Erie near Long Point, where it rests as a silent testament to the perils faced by early Great Lakes vessels.

Resources & Links

• Primary Sources: Newspaper archives from 1851 detailing the storm and accounts of the wreck

• Further Reading:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Database

Conclusion

The loss of the Henry Clay in October 1851 serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities of 19th-century shipping on Lake Erie. Carrying cargo and passengers, the vessel represented both the promise and peril of early Great Lakes transportation. The heroic efforts of Captain Callard and the harrowing escape of David Keefe offer a glimpse into the bravery and resilience of those who sailed the Great Lakes, where storms and shifting cargo could spell disaster. The legacy of the Henry Clay endures as a cautionary tale of the dangers of lake navigation and a testament to the unpredictable forces of nature.

Tags

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #HenryClay #LongPoint #HistoricalShipwreck #PackageFreighter