By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The remnants of a wooden ship that recently washed up on the beach at Erieau has piqued the interest of local residents and maritime historians.
That’s according to former Erieau harbormaster Jeff Vidler who reported the wreck to officials at the Kingston-based Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, as well as the University of Michigan.
“They’ve said it’s a very significant find,” Vidler told The Voice, noting the 35-foot piece that’s been uncovered likely comes from a wooden schooner built around 1850 or after. “They think it was a cargo vessel about 270 feet in length and it could be from a wreck that’s unknown.”
Daniel Rose, collections and programs co-ordinator at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, called the discovery of the section of wooden ribs unique.
“It’s definitely a fascinating piece,” Rose said, noting the size and design of the nails indicate it’s part of the hull of a sailing schooner, probably built in the mid-to-late-19th century, prior to the introduction of steel-hulled ships around 1900.
“This comes from a time when ships connected this part of the continent to the rest of the world,” Rose explained.
Rose said that in order to pinpoint the ship’s age the wood needs to analyzed with a mass spectrometer, which can pinpoint when the boards were taken from a tree, narrowing it down to within five to 10 years of when it was built.
“Carbon dating technology has taken a huge leap,” Rose said, adding the equipment is utilized for specialized studies at universities.
According to Rose, the waters of the Great Lakes act as a “fantastic preservative,” noting the wood lasts much longer underwater than it would if it was exposed to air.
Vidler, a navy veteran who served for 25 years, said a local historian has expressed interest in preserving the boat, but there are plenty of logistical issues to consider.
“We can try and get it removed off the beach to save it,” he said, as another winter gale could see the lake reclaim it.
