By Georgann & Mike Wachter
Guest Writers, Dive News Network

The central, and in particular the western basin, of Lake Erie is not known for pristine visibility. It is known however, for having dedicated sport divers who support an extensive mooring project to protect shipwrecks and the diving public.
Under the auspices of the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team, (MAST), ten shipwreck sites have received lighted US Coast Guard approved moorings.  These ten tie-in lines have been placed on various vessels located from Fairport, Ohio west to Kelleys Island.  A variety of boat types including tugs, schooners, barges, a sidewheeler and propeller steamers were chosen for the moorings and three of the moorings are new additions
to the 2011 season.

The Hickory Stick
A wooden crane barge, Hickory Stick, was being towed from Sandusky to Rocky River, Ohio in November 1958 when she was overcome by a storm packing 75 mph winds.  According to the captain of the towing tug, Black Marlin, the hawser connecting the two boats parted about 11 p.m.  Recognizing the futility of saving the tow, the Black Marlin, was turned toward the safety of Lorain Harbor but her engines faltered.  Coastguardsmen from Lorain Station rescued the captain and first mate leaving the tug at anchor. The tug went missing and has never been located but debris from the foundered barge was scattered east along Avon Point.
The Hickory Stick lies in 55 ft. of water on a hard mud bottom.  The mooring block is located towards the west end of the barge which was constructed of wood with metal girders. A trail line snakes southwest to the steam crane, while another goes to the barge. Next to the cab of the derrick is a large boiler. The clamshell bucket, metal girders, a J-hook and other debris are located to the southwest of the crane.  Between the cab and the barge a metal box of unknown origin is evident on the sidescan image. Tools, cookware, barrels and other items may be located in the silt surrounding the barge.

The City of Concord
Another new mooring in 2011 is to the City of Concord.  This steamer was constructed in 1868 and is 135 ft. long.  On September 29, 1906 the City of Concord left Cleveland for St. Clair, Michigan towing the coal laden consorts Montpelier and Donaldson. She stopped in Lorain to pick up a third tow, the barge Neguanee. Only a few hours had passed when a Gulf hurricane caught up to the train of vessels off Huron, Ohio.  Abandoning her tows, the aging Concord fought to keep afloat. After the rising water put out the boiler fires Captain Charles McEcheran ordered the crew to abandon ship. Two of the crew refused to board the yawl boat and died when she foundered.  Another crewman who had fallen in the water was rescued by the Donaldson.
Fighting monstrous waves, the City of Concord’s crew made it to shore east of Cedar Point. The Neguanee was driven ashore nearby and though the vessel was a total loss, her crew survived. The wooden City of Concord is 45 ft. deep in an area pockmarked with illegal dredge dumpings.
The Concord’s boiler, steering gear and engine can be explored, often in the relative warmth, above a thermocline.
Some decking is present which should be avoided if there is limited visibility. The large windlass has been pulled towards the port side of the vessel.
In the debris field on the vessel’s starboard side are barrels and an overturned capstan. The mooring block is located on the starboard side near the stern.

The F.H. Prince
As the keeper of the Marblehead Lighthouse looked north one hot August day in 1911, he could see a boat on fire some six miles north of his station.  It was the steamer F. H. Prince and it was so engulfed in flames Captain Parsons drove her onto the rocks east of Kelleys Island.
Two sandsuckers, the Mary H and the Albert Y. Gowan came alongside to pump water on the steamer to save her but attempts to free the vessel failed, and the sand company who owned the boats that fought the fire, filed a salvage claim against her. The smoldering vessel caught fire again several days later and was totaled. 
The F.H. Prince is located less than a mile east of Lake Erie’s Kelleys Island. The remains of the 240 ft. long steamer are a popular dive. The engine and boilers were removed in 1914 however there are lots of metal parts including some machinery that comes to within two ft. of the surface since the depth here is less than 20 ft. Other hazards are the heavy boat traffic, and monofilament from numerous fishermen looking for schools of bass.

The buoy project is ongoing and supported by dive shops and divers. For more info on the buoy project divers can contact Ken Marshall at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ■

Special thank you to Mike & Georgann Wachter. Their passion has resulted in the discovery or rediscovery of over 25 wreck sites. What was once a part time hobby became a full time investigation of the myths and realities behind the thousands of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.  In addition to their books, Mike and Georgann have published numerous magazine articles, and are actively involved in creating diver access to and preserving Great Lakes maritime history. With over 2,000 ships known to have sunk in Lake Erie, we can look forward to many more articles, books, and shipwreck materials from this husband and wife team.
Check out their site www.eriewrecks.com.