Lake Erie has perhaps the largest concentration of shipwrecks per square mile of any body of water in the world. From the 1700’s to the present a variety of military and commercial vessels have been lost on her waters.
Through slides, video, and stories, we will explore infamous disasters such as the burning of the sidewheel steamer G. P. Griffith as well as some lesser known shipwrecks learning their stories of thrilling rescue and heartbreaking tragedy.
Through slides, video, and stories, we will explore infamous disasters such as the burning of the sidewheel steamer G. P. Griffith as well as some lesser known shipwrecks learning their stories of thrilling rescue and heartbreaking tragedy.
Shipwrecked! - Fire, Storm, Collision
Black Friday — Lake Erie’s “Perfect Storm”
The name “Black Friday” was given to the date of October 20, 1916, after a violent storm sank ships and ended 51 lives on Lake Erie. The whaleback James B. Colgate, the lumber hooker Marshal Butters, the steamer Merida, and the barge D.L. Filer were all lost in a convergence of storms that created Lake Eire’s “Perfect Storm”.
We’ll tell you the story of the storm and the shipwrecks. We’ll share the tale of two captains who were the sole survivors of their lost ships. And, we'll share Georgann's original, moving poem, A Captain's Lament.
We’ll tell you the story of the storm and the shipwrecks. We’ll share the tale of two captains who were the sole survivors of their lost ships. And, we'll share Georgann's original, moving poem, A Captain's Lament.
Dave VanZandt on the Saint James
(Mike King video capture)
(Mike King video capture)
Whaleback Steamer Colgate (Wachter Collection)
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