IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Wreck Name: S.F. GALE (also referred to as S.E. GALE)
  • Type: Wooden Schooner (originally built as a Brig)
  • Date of Incident: November 28, 1876
  • Location: Near Fairport, approximately 10 to 12 miles off Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: 41°44.455’ N, 81°52.922’ W
  • Depth: 78 feet (25 meters)
  • Condition: Foundered during a storm; wreck remains on the lakebed

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The S.F. GALE was a wooden two-masted Schooner originally constructed as a Brig in 1846 by B.B. Jones in Chicago. With dimensions of 123 feet in length, 24 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, the Schooner had a Gross Tonnage of 266 tons and a Net Tonnage of 225 tons. Throughout its service, it was converted and refitted multiple times, allowing it to continue its role as a cargo transporter on the Great Lakes for over 30 years.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

Built in 1846, the S.F. GALE was part of a wave of robust cargo vessels designed for Great Lakes trade. Originally rigged as a Brig, it was later converted to a Schooner to adapt to evolving demands in maritime commerce.

Significant Incidents

The vessel faced numerous challenges during its service:

1850 Collision: Capsized and sank after colliding with the Schooner TELEGRAPH in the Straits of Mackinac. The vessel was later recovered.

Repeated Mishaps: Over its career, the Schooner endured collisions and groundings in various locations, including Manitou and Pt. Abino, indicative of the hazardous conditions on the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage

On November 28, 1876, the S.F. GALE, captained by Andrew Hillson, departed from Marblehead, Ohio, bound for Erie, Pennsylvania, with a mixed cargo of merchandise and stone. While navigating Lake Erie, the ship encountered a ferocious storm. The Schooner struggled against towering waves and gale-force winds before ultimately foundering near Fairport, Ohio.

All seven crew members, including Captain Hillson, tragically perished. Parts of the vessel, such as the cabin, were found washed ashore several days later.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The S.F. GALE sank on November 28, 1876, during a severe storm. The wreck rests at a depth of 78 feet (25 meters), and though scattered, it remains a historical marker of the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the site. Divers exploring the wreck should note the historical significance and avoid disturbing the site.

LOCATED BY & DATE

Following the storm, the wreckage was partially identified when portions of the ship washed ashore on December 2, 1876. The exact underwater location has been documented and explored by maritime historians and divers.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck is accessible to divers at 78 feet (25 meters), but its advanced age and the severity of the storm have left it scattered and deteriorated. Notable features, such as sections of the Hull and cabin remnants, may still be discernible, offering divers a glimpse into 19th-century ship construction.

RESOURCES & LINKS

ANALYSIS

The loss of the S.F. GALE exemplifies the challenges of 19th-century maritime life on the Great Lakes. Built during the mid-1800s, the vessel adapted to decades of service, navigating the evolving trade demands and harsh conditions of the region. Its tragic demise in 1876, coupled with the loss of its crew, underscores the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation. The wreck now serves as a poignant historical artifact, a tribute to the vessels and sailors who shaped the maritime legacy of the Great Lakes.

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#GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeErie #SchoonerHistory #SFGale #MaritimeHeritage #ShipwreckDiving #19thCenturyMaritime #GreatLakesNavigation