Libby (Launched 1872)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name(s): Libby
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Builder: Likely Cleveland or Detroit (exact yard not documented)
  • Registration Number: Unconfirmed
  • Vessel Type: Two-masted wooden Schooner
  • Dimensions: Estimated length 30–33 m (98–108 feet); beam approx. 7 m (23 feet); tonnage likely 220–250 tons
  • Final Resting Place: Lake Erie shore, likely near Toledo, Ohio
  • Coordinates: Exact location uncharted
  • Date Lost: 24 November 1872
  • Depth: Wreck destroyed in shallow surf

Vessel Type

A standard wooden Schooner of the Great Lakes, the Libby was designed for bulk cargo — lumber, coal, grain — and relied on dockside loading and unloading with minimal steam-assist during manoeuvres.

Description

Built of white oak with iron fastenings, the Libby had a shallow-Draft Hull to allow navigation into rivers and harbours, which was typical of Lake Erie schooners in the 1870s. She would have featured a centreboard, two masts, and a simple deckhouse.

History

On 24 November 1872, the Libby was docked (records suggest possibly in or near Toledo, Ohio), when a severe storm struck. High winds broke her mooring lines, and she was torn from the dock and driven ashore by the gale.

The Schooner was repeatedly smashed against the shoreline by large waves, eventually breaking apart completely. No loss of life was reported in contemporary newspaper accounts, as the crew was safely ashore at the time.

Final Dispositions

The Libby was declared a Total Loss, wrecked beyond repair. No salvage of significant value was documented, and the Hull was likely broken up or buried in sand near shore.

Located By & Date Found

No modern survey has located any surviving remains of the vessel. The shallow area where she was lost is presumed to have been redeveloped or naturally reclaimed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No active Notmar warnings exist for this wreck.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Libby is a classic example of a Schooner wrecked by sudden storms while moored — a frequent hazard on the Great Lakes in the 19th century, before modern breakwaters and fendering systems were widely installed. Her loss in 1872 reflects the vulnerability of docked wooden vessels to sudden gales.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: Libby, 1872 storm, dockside wreck, Schooner, Lake Erie
  • Categories: Great Lakes schooners, storm wrecks, dockside losses, Lake Erie shipwrecks
  • Glossary Terms: mooring failure, gale, constructive Total Loss, breaking up