A new shipwreck discovered in the Great Lakes has been confirmed by the National Museum of the Great Lakes and Cleveland Underwater Explorers.
The shipwreck confirmed is the Clough, a stone-hauling vessel built in 1867 that sank just a year later on Sept. 15, 1868. The 125-foot long, three-masted ship was classified as a “bark” and sank while completing its assigned purpose of transporting stone.
The site of the shipwreck was also where Cleveland Underwater Explorers founder David VanZandt died in June 2024. The group worked to identify Lake Erie shipwrecks in collaboration with the museum since 2001 and completed several visits, created a site map and finished extensive historical research to positively identify the wreck. The Clough was owned by Baxter Clough, who also owned a quarry in Amherst, Ohio.
“This discovery represents both a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history and a meaningful continuation of David VanZandt’s legacy,” said Carrie Sowden, director of Archaeology and Research, National Museum of the Great Lakes, in a statement.
The museum, located in Toledo, Ohio, will open a new micro exhibit, “Beneath the Surface: CLUE, the Clough and a Lasting Legacy,” through April 16. For more information, visit nmgl.org. It was recently nominated for Best Maritime Museum in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
There are more than 6,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, dating back as early as the 17th century, according to the University of Buffalo. Cold lake temperatures and fresh water create ideal climate for preservation of vessels.
The Clough ran ashore 12 miles east of Cleveland, according to documents maintained by the Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Five people died in the sinking of the boat, with just the second mate surviving, according to newspaper reports at the time.
— Steve Howe reports on suburban growth, development and environment for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: A Great Lakes shipwreck was identified. See where and when it sank
Reporting by Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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