Presque Isle Bay underwater archaeology survey

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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PRESQUE ISLE BAY
UNDER TER ARCHAEOL06Y
C!'o SURVEY
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COASTAL ZOIN
INFORMATION CENTER

Submitted to:
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Bureau for Historic Preservation

Submitted by:
157 J- Lee Cox Jr.
JE6 Maritime Historical Institute, Inc.
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1986
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funded and Coordinated through
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Dept. of Environmental Resources
Office of Resources management
Bur. at water Resources management
Div. of Coastal Zone managel@nient December, 1986
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Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding for this project was provided through the Pennnsylyania Coastal Zone Management
Program with a grant from the Federal Coastal Zone Management Program, Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce. Matching funds were provided by the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission, Bureau for Historic Preservation. Invaluable assistance and support was
provided by numerous individuals. Without their contributions the completion of this project
and report would not have been possible. Special thanks are due to the field staff composed of
James Duff, Colin Bentley and Wes Hall. In addition to participating in the fieldwork portion of
this project, Wes Hall spent numerous hours working on several portions of this final report.
Kevin Crisman must be acknowledged for his assistance with several of the report graphics.
Furthermore, I would like to thank personnel from the Presque Isle State Park and Pat Leipart
from the Flagship NIAGARA, who helped overcome several of the logistical concerns of the
fieldwork portion of this project, And finally, I would like to thank all staff members from the
Philadelphia Maritime Museum.

ME 85564

Orant Task 85-PS.04

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements ................................................... i

Introduction ........................................................... I

Prehistoric Overview ............................................. 4

Historic Overview .................................................. 9
Settlement Patterns .......................................... 9
Shipbuilding .................................................... I I
Naval Shipbuilding .......................................... 14
Shipping ......................................................... 17
Navigation ...................................................... 21

Previous Archaeological Work ............................. 28

Environmental Conditions .................................... 29

Fieldwork Investigation ....................................... 32
Methodology ................................................... 32
Target Analysis .............................................. 35
Site Investigations ......................................... 65

Summary ............................................................ 81

Bibliography ...................................................... 84

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LIST OF FIGURES

I- Navigational Channels; Presque Isle Bay ..................... 27
2. Pennsylvania Shoreline on Lake Erie .......................... 30
3. Survey Areas ............................................................ 33
4. Survey Area A- I ...................................................... 39
5. Survey Area A .......................................................... 41
6. Survey Area 6 .......................................................... 45
7. Sonar Target B-6 ...................................................... 47
8. Survey Area D .......................................................... 49
9. Sonar Target D- I I .................................................... 52
10. Sonar Target D- 13 .................................................... 53
11. Survey Area E .......................................................... 55
12. Survey Area F ......................................................... 57
13. Survey Area 6 ......................................................... 59
14. Walnut Creek Magnetic Contour Map .......................... 62
15. Elk Creek Magnetic Contour Map ............................... 64
16. Remote Sensing Targets Map; Presque Isle Bay .......... 66
17. B- I Site Map .......................................................... 70
18. B-6 Site Map ......................................................... 72
19. D-7 Site Map ......................................................... 75
20. Sketch of 1890's Stem Yacht ................................. 76
21. D- I I Site Map ....................................................... 78
22. D- 13 Site Map ....................................................... 80

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The Presque Isle Bay Underwater Archaeology Survey was financed by grant
funding made available by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Division of
Coastal Zone Management. Matching funds were provided by the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission, Bureau for Historic Preservation. All research and fieldwork was
conducted by personnel involved with the Maritime Historical Institute, Inc.

Proiect Oboactives

The advent of sophisticated technology within the last forty years has allowed man to
penetrate and explore beneath the surface of the water, providing a new frontier from which
scientists have been able to attain significant information enhancing the existing data base for
historical and archaeological research. Initially, researchers were tentative in recognizing the
potential significance of the study of submerged cultural material. Often, an association with
treasure hunting or marine selvage was assumed, while others felt a submerged environment
might alter or disturb the provenience of deposited resources. However, once techniques
enabling a precisely controlled exploration, survey and excavation of shipwrecks and submerged
structures were mastered, scientists began to realize the extent of information which the study
of underwater sites could contribute to ft established disciplines of history and archaeology.
Published reports, starting sporadically in the early 1960's, began to shed light not only on
ship construction techniques and ship-types, but also on ft cultural and social development of
the society which produced the vessel. Under the various titles of Underwater Archaeology,
Maritime Archaeology, Nautical Archaeology and Marine Archaeology, ft study and
interpretation of submergad cultural resources is presently carried out on an international
basis. This emerging discipline deals with the entire complex of man's historic involvement
with waterborne trade and communication, naval warfare and cultural relationships between
distan t centers of civilization.

Despite its geographical isolation from the Atlantic Seaboard, Pennsylyanies major rivers
and Lake Erie have provided transportation arteries that fostered the social, economic and
commercial development of each region of the state. Submerged cultural resources, associated

Introduction 2

with each phase of the state's prehistoric and historic development have been deposited in
Pennsylvania waters. These submerged resources, often in the form of shipwrecks, preserve
archaeological and historical information. Often, information obtained from submerged sites is
not contained within the historic record or the terrestrial archaeological record

However, submerged cultural resources have been occasionally subjected to the destructive
forces of relic hunters and salvage operators, who seek to enhance a private collection or to
extract a financial profit. Furthermore, potential submerged cultural resource sites are often
threatened by a variety of construction related projects; ranging from dredging operations, to
waterfront clearance activities to ludill projects.

This project was designed to assist state officials assess the extent and significance of
submerged cultural resources in Presque Isle Bay and the areas adjacent to the mouth of Walnut
i'IS Creek and Elk Creek. Due to the strategic location and historic background of the survey areas,
they have been identified as possessing a high dVee of potential to contain submerged cultural
resources. Presque Isle Peninsula provided Erie with a naturally protected harbor. Erie was
the staging area for Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet during the War of 1812. Later, several vessels
from the fleet were scuttled in Misery Bay, at the distal end of Presque Isle Peninsula. Presque
Isle Bay later became a thriving l9th century port. This trade activity continued into the 20th
century, although at a lesser rate. While still commercially active, Presque Isle Bay is now
utilized primarily by a vast fleet of recreational vessel&

Initially, a prehistoric/historic overview, instrumental to providing a proper framework
for the interpretation of fieldwork results, was compiled for the port of Erie. Specific water
related activities were documented sections on shipbuilding, shipping trade and commerce,
settlement, naval warfare and navigational improvements were included in the overview. A
brief mention on the present environmental conditions was also submitted in the final report.
Furthermore, previous archaeological projects and their discoveries were discussed. Significant
sites which have been previously identified, either by past archaeological projects or by local
divers, were mentioned

The goal of this project was to locate and identify significant cultural material within the
designated surveyareas. Remote sensing surveys, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment;

Introduction 3

including a recording proton procession magnetometer, a side scanning sow and a Loran-C
pliotting/positioning system, were completed at each of the survey locations. Both magnetic and
aawtic anomalies were recorded during ft survey. Targets which possessed remote sensing
signatures characteristic of cultural resources were designated "targets". Diving investigations
were then undertaken at each of the high probability targets. Each of the targets which were
identified as cultural resources were then designated as 'sites". Further diagnostic and
structural information was recorded at each submerged site.

From 9-30 July, a four person survey team participated in the fieldwork portion of the
Presque Isle Bay Underwater Archaeology Survey. Within Presque Isle Bay, seven
smaller survey areas were plotted to facilitate positioning control of the survey lanes. Shallow
water along most of the shoreline weas limited the use of side scan sonar close to shore. To
ensure comprehensive coverage, a survey ]ane was completed wound the entire perimeter of
Presque Isle Bay. By running along the approximate eight foot bottom contour, parallel to the
shoreline, sonar records were compiled for most of the shallow areas. Furthermore, two survey
areas were plotted directly adjacent to the mouth of Walnut Creek and Elk Creek. A total of 56
remote sensing targets were identified; 32 magnetic anomalies, 17 acoustic anomalies and 7
magnetic-acoustic anomalies. Of the 56 targets, 12 exhibited magnetic and/or acoustic
signatures characteristic of submerged cultural resources. A total of 33 individual dives were
performed in an effort to identify and assess the 12 designated targets. While most of the targets
were identified as modern debris, five of the target sites were found to be vessel remains and one
target was a timber crib associated with the water intake system for the city of Erie. Thus,
these six targets were classified as 'sites", and were the focus of more extensive documentation
efforts.

One of the sites, identified as D-7, is considered to be of particular significance. Divers
recorded the remains of a 96 foot wooden hulled steam -screw launch. The starboard side of the
hull, the rudder, propeller, propeller shaft, and much of the steam machinery, including; the
crankshaft, cylinder, boiler and stack, were all documented. The vessel possesses features that
were characteristic of vessels from the 1880's and 1890's.

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'I PREHISTORICMISTORIC OVERVIEW
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Prehistoric/Historic Overview 4

PREHISTORIC OVERVIEW

Introduction
The seven mile long, recurved Presque Isle Peninsula is a unique geological feature that has
offered Inhabitants of northwestern Pennsylvania an environment that was a suitable and
strategic place to settle. Archaeological discoveries have documented that the region was
inhabited by prehistoric populations as long as 12,000 years ago. An attempt has been made to
briefly summarize the extent of prehistoric activity in the Erie area. For the purposes of this
report, many of the period descriptions have been adopted from A Historical Resources
Protection Plan for the Lake Erie Coastal Zone (Northwest Institute of Research, 1983) and
Cultural Resources in the Southern Lake Erie Basin: A Predictive Study (Curtis and Hatch,
1981). Furthermore, the existing archaeological site files maintained by the Archaeological
Section of the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation have been researched.

The extent of prehistoric activity must be examined during the course of this submerged
cultural resources survey because of the potential existence of inundated terrestrial
archaeological sites. Water transportation was as vital to prehistoric civilizations as it was to
the arm's first European settlers. Many prehistoric sites were established along shorelines
because of the accessibi I ity of water bourne transportation. Also, the remains of any structures
that were possibly built into the water, i.e., portions of a fishing weir, may still be evident
beneath the water. Portions of sites, or entire sites, may have become inundated as river
courses altered or lake water levels increased Oeologists have documented the rise of Lake Erie
over the lost 10,000 years. Furthermore, scientists have calculated that since 1900 three
hundred feet of beach and bluff have been lost to the lake in the vicinity of Conneaut, Ohio,
(Brose at al. 1978). Thus, on an annual basis numerous prehistoric sites are inundated by the
receding shoreline. This fuels the possibility that remains of prehistoric settlements remain
bet@edh the water. Whether such material has survived the inundation process undisturbed is
unknown. But the potential for such sites is real and can nut be overlooked as a future source for
both prehistoric and historic ardiaeological information.

The following generalized cultural sequence for Pennsylvania, developed by the Pennsylvania
Historical and M useum Comm ission, has been em played to del i Mate periods of prehistoric

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 5

civilization:

Paleo-Indian 10,000 B.C. - 8,000 B.C.
Archaic 8,000 B.C. - 1 '000 B.C.
Early Woodland 1,000 B.C. - 300 B.C.
Middle Woodland 500 B.C. - 1,000 AD.
Late Woodland 1,00O&D. - 1,500 AD.
Historic 1,600KD.-

Pelee-Indian
Evidence discovered in the archaeological record suggests that the initial occupation of the
Erie region dates to the post-glacial transitional era, approximately 12,000 - 10.000 B.C.
This period features adaptation by the inhabitants to the late Wisconsin glacial environments and
resDurces. A series of elevated pre-glacial lakes in Erie County drained during the remission of
the Pleistoceneglaciation. Bands of hunter and gatherers developed a cultural tradition in
response to the mixed boreal forest/Pleistocene grassland environment with large Pleistocene
megafauna (Northwest Institute, 2-17). The nomadic big game hunters of this period used
high quality stone was for making a variety of tools. Small scrapers for working hides, gravers
for drilling and knives were developed this period Clovis fluted projectile points and
shouldered "plow" points are also diagnostic of the PaIeD- Indian adaptation.

Despite the fact that numerous types of projectile points have been recorded in the region,
they have been scattered and cannot be assigned to a defined Pa)eo- Indian site. However,the
presence of the points In the archaeological record indicates that Paleo- Indian hunter and
gatherer bands did utilize the Lake Erie beaches and the tributary river valleys for a portion of
their subsistenceactivities. The Historic Resources Protection Plan for the Lake Erie Coastal
Zone mentioned that one possible explanation for the lack of defined Paleo-Indian sites in the
Erie area was because these peoples had very mobile subsistence and settlement patterns and
their settlements were likely established on lake and river shorelines. And many of the
shoreline sites have likely become inundated during shoreline erosion.

There are no shoreline Paleo- Indian sites on file at the Archaeology Section of the
Pennsylvania State Museum.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 6

Ardiaic
The Archaic Period Is commonly sub-divided Into the Early, Middle and Late periods
according to changes in the artifact assemblages and assumed changes in the subsistence and
settlement patterns. The water level in Lake Erie and the smaller lakes throughout the region
reached their present elevation try the Late Archaic. Also, during this period the current
shoreline locations and drainage patterns in Erie County were established. The increasing
populations of the period were adapting to a coniferous forest environment with modern fauna.
Small mobile groups from the Early Archaic Period began to steadily increase in size and
density. A wide range of artifact types is evident. These include; adzes, axes, and atlatl weights.

Archaeological evidence suggests that populations by the Middle Archaic Period were
adapting to an environment featuring deciduous forests. Larger campsites and smaller
specialized ecortomic sites with a more diverse tool type assemblage are prevalent during this
stage. The Middle Archaic adaptation in Erie County focused on the high order stream floodplains
and the Lake Erie shoreline. The transition to the Late Archaic Period is marked by the first
appearance of cold hammered copper for similar tools (Northwest Institute, 2-20).

By the Late Archaic Period, specialized economic patterns with local styles of tool types
were apparent Larger habitation sites indicate that populations became less nomadic. The Late
Archaic adaptation exparKled into a gredw variety of environments, including specialized
interior upland settings. There %archaeological data that suggests the establishment of along
distance trading system for ceremonial material used in burials, The end of this period is noted
by the appearance of large ceremonial burial mounds. Tools developed during this adaptation
include mullers, pestles, mortars for grinding seat and nuts and stow &ills. There have been
a number of relatively large riyerine Late Archaic sites discovered along Erie!s shoreline, with
a concentration of sites around the mouth of Elk Creek.

A total of nine Archaic sites have been identified along Erie's shoreline and are on file with
the Archaeology Section of the Pennsylvania State Museum.

Woodland
The Early Woodland (Adens) populations appear to expand the practice of ceremonial
exchange and mortuary rituals that developed during the Late Archaic Period. Simpleand

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 7

sometimes elaborately decorated pottery was introduced to the artifact assemblage by the Early
Woodland Period. Settlements were commonly small and dispersed camp sites which featured
more intensive hunting, fishing and food collecting. Occupation sites in Erie County for this
period have been identified on terraces, bluffs and hill tops - each associated with a water
system. In addition to the appearance of the earliest ceramic vessels, several other items
including gorgets, grooved axes and the first smoking pipes are introduced into the artifact
assen blage during this adaptation period.

The Middle Woodland (Hopewell) populations continue many of the trends established during
the Early Woodland period In general, people were developing asubsistance based on
horticulture. Amaranth and chenopedium were cultivated in northwestern Pennsylvania. A
more elaborate and wide spread trade network was developed and there was an increase in the use
of burial mounds and ceremonialism. Pottery, colts, pipes and gDrgets are found in the artifact
assemblage.

By the Late Woodland Period (Mississippian) there is evidence suggesting a dependence an
plant food production. A decrease in the importance of mortuary ceremonialism also appears by
the later stages of the Woodland Period. Several sites containing ceramics similar to the
Monongahela tradition pottery have been discovered along the Lake Erie shoreline now Elk and
Raccoon Creek& ReseorO indicates the existence of several groups of small dispersed
populations precticinga mixed agricultural and hunting and gathering economy. Economic
activities were scheduled with summer and early fal I Occupation in the large villages located on
promontories from 1.5 to 20 miles from Lake Erie along the main rivers. ByA.D. 1500,
ceramics po ssessing froquian traits have been discovered, "in a number of scattered Late
Woodland campsites in the Erie County coastal zone such as the Griswold Site, the Skyway
Theater Site, a component at the Billings I Site and the Elk Creek Site (36 Er 53), 36 Er 160
and 36 Er 161 " (Northwest Institute, 2-26). A great variety of pottery shapes and decorations
were produced during this period, along with numerous and elaborate pipe forms, colts, a
variety of bone tools, stone hoes and the bow and arrow.

Three Woodland Period sites located adjacent to major water systems are listed in the files
of the Archaeology Section of the Pennsylvania State Museum.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 8

Histwic
This period includes the contact period up through the end of the 19th century. The contact
period refers to the era when the last prehistoric populations and the first historic accot nts of
the arm overlapped. Limited archival sources indicate a large scale population movement during
the first portion of this period. One of the prehistoric populations, traditionally referred to as
the Erie Indians or Neutrals, were devastated by the Senace Indians in 1654. Fur trading
activity thrived following the first arrival of Europeans, At the some time there is evidence
suggesting a marked decrease in agricultural activities. Lakeshore sites dating to this period are
no longer found. The region was formally settled by Europeans by the start of the 19th century.
Many of the historic developments lated with the settlement of Erie have been dotal led in
other portions of this report.

Seven arMaeological sites from this period that are located adjacent to Lake Erie and its
tributaries have been identified and are are on file with the Archaeology Section of the
Pennsylvania State Museum.

Pre,is,oricj"is,oric Ovorviow 9

HISTORIC OVERVIEW

The preparation of an historic overview is tial to researchers studying the significance
of submerged cultural resources. Documentation of settlement patterns, shipbuilding, shipping
routes, navigational improvements &W changes in the historic shoreline, provides a proper
framework from which future submerged sites may be interpretated. In addition to providing
documentation concerning the significance of resources, historic research assists in identifying
areas that are most likely to contain archaeological sites. Information in the historic overview
addresses each of the factors which potentially contribute to the deposition, or subsequent
destruction, of submerged cultural resources within the boundaries of the survey area.

Settlement Patterns

Both British and French military forces were actively involved in establishing dominance in
Erie County by the middle of the 18th century. Although the area was very remote - only
pioneering fur traders inhabitated the region, French military forces were intent on
establishing a military installation at Presque Isle. A French fort at Presque Isle was designed
to serve as the northern-most link in a series of French fortifications connecting their Canadian
territory with New Orleans. In the early spring of 1753, Sieur M&,In led an advance party
from a 2,200 men French expedition that landed on Presque Isle Peninsula. They constructed
Fort Presque Isle on the west bank of Mill Creek, near its mouth. The location of the fort was
slightly east of what is now the foot of Parade Street in Erie. It served as the support center for
a settlement that grew to several hundred residents by 1757. However, as the French began to
lose their struggle against the colonials and British In the French and Indian War, they retreated
in 1759 and ft fort was evacuated and burned. In 1760, British troops occupied the former
French facility and quickly constructed a new fortification at the site. A colonial militiaman
described the British fort's construction;

"The bank upon which the old fort stands at Presque Isle is not
less than 40 feet above the lake. It is a very commanding spot.
The island which forms the harbor and makes that place so
valuable, is, perhaps not half as high, but it Is sufficiently above
the reach of the water. . . The fort has been a regular Pentagon:
but the work very light. The parapet don't exceed 5 feet and the

PrehidoricMidoric Overview 10

ditch not more. The walls of the magwine, or store, are standing
and may be prepared" (Pennsylvania Archives 2nd ser., vol. 6,
862).

Despite the threat of Indian hostilities, British military personnel remained in Erie through
1785. Erie became a strategic staging area for fur traders during the second half of the 18th
century after repeated Indian attacks forced traders to abandon their routes through the Illinois
country. Traders attempting to reach Pittsburgh from the north began to use the Venango Trail
which stretched from Presque Isle down through LeBoeuf, Venango, across the Allegheny River
and down to Pittsburgh. This trade route established the foundation for the 19th century
economic development of Erie.

In ft mid 1790's, the Federal Government formally purchased the territory containing
Erie County and subsequently sold the land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This tract of
land provided the state with access to Lake Erie and allowed Pennsylvania to establish a lake port
within Presque Isle Bay. To encourage the rapid development of the port town, the Pennsylvania
General Assembly enacted legislation in 1795 that provided for a systematic street survey for
the proposed town of Erie. General William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott completed a survey in
June 1795 and the first Erie settlers arrived shortly thereafter. The original settlement
location was situated adjacent to the mouth of Mill Creek. This location had ft advantage of
being accessible from the water and it was located next to the old British fort which stood just to
the east on Garrison Hill. The settlement grew westward along Second Street (Claridge, 1982).

In 1800, the State General Assembly enacted legislation to create the county of Erie.
Approximately 1 500 settlers resided in Erie County at the time, with slightly less than 100
within the area defined for the town of Erie. Later in March, 1805, the General Assembly
formally incorporated the Borough of Erie.
Due to its remote location,'the town of Erie resembled a frontier community for much of its
first twenty years of existence. The first major industry of the town involved the transport of
salt from New York State to Pittsburgh. Settlers built warehouses to store the salt during the
process of transferring it from the New York boats to the wagons bound for Pittsburgh. After
prospering for a ten year period, this trade network rapidly declined following the 1813
discovery of salt in the Pittsburgh vicinity.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview I

Erie residents began to increasingly exploit the abundant local supply of natural resources
to enhance their developing industries. Sawmills were the first successful commercial industry
of the region. Mills were constructed adjacent to the mouth of most of the creeks which fed into
Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay. Often times grist mills or flour mills were adJoined to the
sawmills. Scattered tanneries, brickyards, foundries and papermills were all operating in the
area before 1830. Shipbuilding become an important part of Erie's economic development. And
finally, the Erie Extension Canal, finished in 1844, stimulated a significant amount of economic
development within Erie.

Shipbuilding

Much of Erie's economic development, from its formation in 1805, through the 19th
century and into the 20th century, was influenced by the production of the shipbuilding
Industry. Due to Ertes remote location by overland routes, the prim" transportation artery
for Erie during much of the 19th century was via the lake. It was not until the railroad lines
were fully completed later in the 19th century that shipping was supplanted as the principle
method of transportation for Erie merchants and residents. Thus, the local demand for suitable
lake vessels to carry both passengers and cargo led to the development of a strong shipbuilding

tradition in Erie.

In addition to building many of the finest Great Lake steamers and s&axiers during the 19th
century, Erie shipyards produced a fleet of vessels which were used in Oliver HaM Perrys
naval engagement with the British during the War of 1812 The importance and productivity of
Erie's shipyards was adversely affected by the advent of railroad transportation in the region
during the final decades of the 19th century. Sporadic efforts have been attempted to revive the
shipbuilding industry during the 20th century, but each was short lived and never fulfilled
expectations. The following section will attempt to describe the impact of commercial
shipbuilding and present some of the highlights of its development. A brief section on Naval
Shipbuilding, dealing specifically with Perry's fleet from the War of 1812, and the iron hulled
Michfoan, will follow.

Pre'is'oricmis'oric OverMew 12

A small schooner, Whitefish, was built at Erie in 1795 by John Thompson and David Lumis
to carry them on a journey from Erie to Philadelphia. This is the first documented vessel built
at Erie. John Thompson noted in his journal of the journey that, "... the schooner Whitefish,
constructed by ourselves at that former place (Erie) in the summer of that year ( 1795)
without adequate tools for such a work, and the whole of the timber from the woods. The
dimensions of the vessel were. 18 feet keel, 23 feet from stem to stern and 6 foot beam without
a dock' (Hazard, Yol. I , 237). Eliphelet Beebe built a sloop of 36 tons named the Washington in
1798. It was launched at the mouth of Four Mile Creek, just east of Presque Isle.

By the start of the 19th century, a moderate amount of smal I boats were being bui It and
launched in the Erie area. Captain William Lee built the Good Intent, 30 tons, at the mouth of
Mill Creek in 1799. Eliphalet Beebe launched a second vessel, the Herleguin, in 1800. The
size and burden of the vessels being launched increased in proportion to the escalating demand
placed on cargo capacity. Average vessel length of boats built at Erie increased from 45 feet in
1800 to 60 feet in 1805. Thomas Wilson built the 100 ton, 2 masted s&oxw Mary in 1805
(Sanford, 129).

The advent of steamboat use on Lake Erie coincided with the formative stages of most of the
significant trade routes on the lake. Noah Brown built the first steamboat on Lake Erie in 1818,
when his yard launched the Walk- in-the-Water William Penn, launched by the Erie and
Chautaugua Steamboat Company in June 1826, was the first steamboat built at Erie. It was 95
feet long, 25 feet wide and it had an 8 foot draft, Rufus and Charles Reed operated the most
productive steamboat yard in Erie during the first half of the 19th century. During the 1830's
the Reed yard launched three major steamboats from their yard at the foot of Sassafras Street:
Pennsylvania ( 1832), a 395 ton side paddler, Thomas Jefferson ( 1835), a 428 ton side
paddle wheeler and James Madison.( 1837), a 630 ton side paddle wheeler (Lytle, 1952).
These large paddlewheelers were capable of carrying 1 000 people and a ful I load of cargo.
"Ships built at Erie had the reputation as the best on the lakes and Charles Reed was for many
years the leading shipowner in the entire Great Lakes" (Erie Times-News, 36).

Several other boatbuilding operations were active at Erie during the middle of the 19th
century. Two boatbuilding operations were spawned during the construction of the naval fleet in
1812- 1813. While the Cascade Street Naval Yard was abandoned following the War of 1812,

Prehistoric/14islaric 0,@ew

the smal I naval yard at the mouth of Lees Run was stj I I being used as a NavV receiving station in
the 1830's and 1840's (Claridge, 8). The United States Treasury Department's first revenue
cutter (the predecessor to Coast Guard vessels) was built at the Lee@s Run Navy Yard in 1828.
She was named the Beniamin Rush (35 tons) and was constructed by Messers. Richard and
Justice (Erie Gazette, 9/25/1828). Revenue cutters were used by government officials to
enforce the collection of revenue, in Wtion to providing assistance to stranded vessels. Later
vessels used in this service on Lake Erie include; Lewis McLane (renamed Erie in 1833), Dallas
(an iron hulled steamer, 1846) and Jeremiah 3. Black ( 1864).

Seven additional merchant steam vessels were bui It at Erie between 1826 and 1868.

William Lytle compiled a list of merchant steamers in his publication, Merchant Steam Vessels
of the United States 1807 - 1868 ( 1952). Included in the publication were the names of eight
vessels built at Erie- William Penn. (previously mentioned), Perseverance ( 1832), a side
paddle wheeler that displaced 23 tons, NewburAort ( 1832), a side paddle wheeler that
displaced 32 tons, Davy Crockett ( 1834), a stern paddle wheeler that displaced 35 tons, Erie
( 1837), a side paddle wheeler that displaced 497 tons, Louisiana ( 1846), which displaced
777 tons, S.C. Brooks ( 1857), a stern paddle wheeler that displaced 62 tons and Oakland
1868), a screw steamer that displaced 3 11 tons.

Although Erie yards were producing steam vessels, they were primarily concerned with
building wooden hulled sailing vessels. The productivity of Erie's sailboat building yards is
reflected in the numerous references to shipbuilding in mid- 19th century editions of the Erie
Gazette "Captain George Miles and another built a schooner on Second Street, which was taken
out Second Street to French Street, down French Street to the water; in the summer of 1825 and
called the Simon Bolivar" (Erie Gazette, 3/24/1870). An accm nt from the June 6, 1836
edition mentions that, "the fine schooner Citizen of 160 tons ... burden built by Col. C.M. Reed,
was launched yesterday..." (Erie Gazette, 6/6/1836). During the spring and summer of 1837,
newspaper accounts mention that three sailing vessels were launched at Erie yards, Werd9y,
the schooner Nick Biddle, built by T.O. Colt and W.W. Dobbins was launched" (Erie Ggette,
4/27/1837), and "on the 24th, the schooner 5randywine, built by Albert J. Kelso was launched
at this place" (Erie Gazette, 8/17/1837). Yards at Erie in 1837 also produced "the brig
Virginia, 150 tons" mid the steamboat [rie (Erie Gazette, 8/17/1837; 10/26/1837).

PrehistoricAlistoric NeMew 14

Sailing vessels continued to be launched by Erie yards during the second half of the 19th
century. Many of the vessels built were used in the flourishing fishing industry. "Last
Thursday afternoon, the new schooner, which was bui It at the foot of State Street wharf , was
launched... this vessel is a great credit to Erie shipbuilding skill. She was built for the Carrell
Bros. by J.0. Baker, H. Faster. and A.J. Williams and is 120 feet by 26 feet by 9.5 feet with 475
tons, named L.L. Lamb (Erie Gazette, 5/20/1869).

Several ecorxxnic factors contributed to the decline of the shipbuilding industry at Erie in
the 20th century. Erie shipyards never attained the same level of activity as it did before the
advent of the railroad in this portion of the country. Numerous small sailing vessels were
undoubtedly bui It for the fishing industry, but the larger, mechanized cargo ships that were
being used on the Great Lakes were being constructed at other ports. Relatively recently, an
effort was made to reestablish the shipbuilding industry in Erie's economy with.ft construction
of the Erie Division of Litton Industries. A major shipbuilding facility was constructed in the
early 1960's along the Erie waterfront, just east of the State Street Dock. However, the Litton
facility only produced two 1 000 ton cargo ships; the Presage Isle and the Steward J. Cart.
Other smaller yards, including Peasch Marine Service, have been active building work and
recreational vessels.

Have] Shipbuilding

The nature and scope of this project precludes the possibility of presenting a detailed
description of the construction of the navel fleet during the War of 1812. Much of the
information in this section was adapted from the informative work by Max Rosenburg entitled,
The Buildingof Perry's Fleet on Lake Erie 1812-1813 ( 1974). Erie was selected by
American military officials as the site for the construction of four gunboats and two brigs that
were intended for service in the naval fleet under the direction of Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry.
Erie was chosen because of its strategic location and its naturally protected harbor rather than
because of its resources or the amount of available skilled laborers. The town of Erie hadonly
400 permanent residents in 1812 and they were primarily either farmers or merchants
involved with the salt trade. Several sawmills, a blacksmith shop and a tannery were the only
significant industries in Erie. All major items required for the construction of the six vessels,

stori stori @Gw 15
Pr,*i CAi C 0',

including the manpower had to be trwr4wted in from the surrounding towns; principally
Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cleveland Besides the natural abundant supply of timber, Erie had very
few of the numerous items needed for the construction, outfitting and arming of a single warship.

Paul Hamilton, the Secretary of the Navy, chose Erie as the site for the construction of the
fleet after conferring with Daniel Dobbins, a Presque Isle resident Apparently Dobbins was
successful in stressing the strategic importance of ErWs location. Presque Isle Peninsula forms
the only large naturally protected harbor on the south shore of Lake Erie. Furthermore,
Presque Isle Bay had a sand bar across its mouth that effectively restricted any entry by the
large British warships on the lake. Conversely, this bar posed logistical problems for the
American boat builders who had to design vessels that could be passed over the bar. Two
different sites were selected along Erie's bay waterfront to build &W launch the six vessels; the
foot of Cascade Street, at the mouth of Cascade Creek, and at the foot of Lee's Run, approximately
one mile to the west of Cascade Creek.

Dobbins was appointed sailing mastw of the proposed fleet by Navy officials on September
16, 1812. Dobbins was authorized to supervise the construction of the six vessels and to
organize the entire effort to completely rig and outfit the ships. Ebenezer Crosby was hired as
the master shipwright in dvw-ge of the design and actual construction of the fleet. Work on the'
four gunboats was initiated on November 3, 1812. Captain Issac Chauncy, Commander of
American Naval Forces on the upper lakes, was summoned to Erie in December to inspect the
progress of Crosby's construction. Chauncy and his chief ship designer, Henry Ekford,
apparently recommended several altercations designed to increase the size of the gunboats. Two
of the gunboats, however, were advanced in their construction and thus riot altered. The design of
the other two gunboats was credited to Eckford Naval officials, dissatisfied with Crosbys
performance, relieved him of his duties in March, 1813. Noah Brown was chosen to replace
Crosby and finish the construction of the remaining boats (Rosenburg, 24).

The two large brigs presented several additional logistical problems to the boatbuilders.
These warships required much more iron, rigging material, armament and other genwal
shipboard supplies than the gunboats. Furthermore, the brigs had to be designed so that they
could pass across the bar at the mouth of the Presque Isle Bay.

P"hislwicMisloric Ov@ew 16

Initially there was a complete lack of skilled carpenters in Erie. This shortcoming was
compounded by the fact that it was extremely difficult to hire able boatbuilders in this region of
the country during the winter months. It was not until May, 1813 that a full complement of
200 skilled boetwrights and carpenters was assembled at the two yards in Erie. In May, 1813,
work an the vessels p, rapidly. A bountiful supply of timber had been harvested over the
winter from the surrounding woodlands. Within the course of four weeks, the bull construction
for each of six vessels was completed However, the vessels still lacked most of their rigging,
provisions, iron, guns and anchors. Much of required rigging and cable was recovered from an
abandoned British ship, Salina, which had become entrapped in the lake ice the preceding winter.
Scrap iron, rods and spikes from the Salina were converted by blacksmiths into hand forged
wrought nails and spikes. The accelerated construction process demanded that carpenters use
only unseasoned wood while building the hull&

Once cannons and anchors were received from Washington, Sackett's Harbor and Pittsburgh,
the four gunboats and two brigs; were ready to be launched By August, 1813, each of the vessels
had been launched into Presque Isle Bay. The gunboats, Porcupine, Tigress, and Scorgion were
]atinched from the yard at Lee@s Run (between present Peach and Sassafras Streets). The brigs,
Lawrence and Njawra and the fourth gunboat, Ariel, were launched from the yard at the mouth of
Cascade Creek (approximately one mile west of Lees Run).

Following the conclusion of the War of 1812, most of the surviving American fleet were
either sold or scuttled in Misery Bay. This brief but intense period of naval shipbuilding was
the only effort at constructing naval craft at Erie with the exception of one ship, the Michiggn
Congress in 1841 authorized the construction of an iron hulled side paddle wheel steamboat that
was to be used to offset British Novel strength on Lake Erie. The Michigan was actually built at
Pittsburgh, dissassembled and transported to Erie. At Erie, the vessel was reconstructed and
launched into Lake Erie in 1843. She became the Navy's first iron hulled vessel. The Michigan
featured very heavy, durable construction techniques. Many of the construction designs followed
the same patterns that were used to built wooden hulled vessels; the iron frame was actuaW
designed as wooden frames were - a feature made unnecessary by the superior strength of the
metal.

Dimensions of the Michioan's hull measured 165 feet x 27 feet x 9 feet and the vessel

Prehidoridllisloric Overview 17

displaced 685 tons. She was originally outfitted with a two cylinder direct acting, condensing
engine which created 170 ha-sepower. In addition to its steam engine , the Michigan was rigged
as a bark and later as a barkentine. Although designed to mount twelve 32 pound carronades and
two Paixham 8 inch pivot guns, a nayal treaty with Britain limited the armament to a single 18
pound gun (Oliver, 1263).

The Michicien remained in active duty throughout the 19th century. She served as a training
vessel and each summer and fall she cruised throughout the Great Lakes. Each winter the
Michioan was berthed at Erie. Renamed the Wolverine in 1905, the vessel was nearing the end
of its career. By 19 10, she was transferred from the United States Navy to the Pennsylvania
Navy Militia. Shortly thereafter the Wolverine was loaned to the city of Erie and she was
eventually tied up at Misery Bey, just north of where the Perry Monument is today. Upkeep on
the vessel was not maintained and the Wolverine became a half sunken derelict in Misery Bay.
In the 1940's, the Foundation of the USS Michloan decided the most feasible preservation
measure was to "cut off the bowsprit, stern and a few feet of the hul I and erect the assembly on
shore as a permanent memorial, and the remainder of the ship to be scrapped" (Oliver, 1265).

Shipping

The town of Erie was located on the shores of Lake Erie because of its access to waterborne
transportation and the trade network that was developing among the various port towns across
the lake. Much of Erie's historic economic development has been directly related to the amount
of activity passing through its port facilities. Because settlement of this region of the country
did not occur until well after the Revolutionary War, trade routes on Lake Erie were not
established until the 19th century. This fact allowed steam vessels to compete with sailing
vessels during the formative stages of the trade routes. Initially, the sailing vessels, genwally
schooners, brigs and sIoDps; far outnumbered the experimental steamboats. However, as steam
technology became more sophisticated, the number of steamboats in use on Lake Erie steadily
Increased. By the end of the 19th century commercial steamboats outnumbered sailing vessels
by a vast margin. Initially, the principle ports of exchange were Cleveland to the west and
Buffalo to the east. Later, the opening of the Erie Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway conn acted
Erie and all of the Great Lakes ports with an international trade network.

PrehisloricMisloric Omview 18

An interesting characteristic of shipping on Lake Erie was that all navigation ceased on the
lake each winter because of the accumulation of ice. The limited trading season combined with
the fact that the lake is composed entirely of fresh water helped to extend the life expectancy of
all vessels on Lake Erie.

Information relating to the development and impact of the historic mid present shipping
trade in Erie will be presented in this section. Characteristics of the trade routes, vessels and
cargos will be related Also, a discussion of the development of waterfront facilities in Erie will
be included

The first trade network at Erie developed in response to the shipment of salt from the
Onondaga Works, near Salina, New York, through Erie to Pittsburgh. Shipment of salt began in
1796 and lasted until approximately 1820. Salt was shipped by schooner from Buffalo to Erie.
Since there were formal docking facilities at Erie until 18 10, the schconers simply tied up
close to shore near the mouth of the Mill Creek and workers unloaded the salt on to the sand
beaches. Merchants built three storage houses near the mouth of Mill Creek to handle the salt
even before any piers were built there. From Erie's waterfront, workers transferred the
barrels of salt to ox-drawn wagons bound for Waterford, Pennsylvania. At Waterford, the cargo
was placed aboard flatboats or keelboats and sent down French Creek and then the Allegheny
River to Pittsburgh (Nelson, 420, Northwest Institute, 3-4).

Prior to the War of 1812, there were fewer than 20 commercial vessels operating on Lake
Erie. The majority of the vessels were schooner rigged and averaged 60 tons each. Most of the
vessels entering and clearing Erie's port were involved with the salt trade. Following the
conclusion of the War of 1812, commercial activity on Lake Erie increased significantly. By
1820, the first steamboat and approximately 30 sailing craft were operating on the lake.
Within the next decade, eleven steamboats, totaling approximately 2,260 tons and more than
100 sailing vessels, averaging 70 tons each, were active on Lake Erie. The number of
commercially operated vessels on Lake Erie continued to rise throughout the 19th century.

Since there were a limited number of ports on the lake, each of the vessels likely called on
the port of Erie at some during the their active career. In 1826, three steamboats and between

"'iew 19
Pr",Oricmisoric 0M,

two and ten schooners entered and cleared Erie every week History of Erie County. 27 1
hereinafter cited as t LEC). During the 1820's, vessels entering and clearing Erie harbor were
traveling to and from such ports as; Buffalo, Detroit, Cleveland. MacKinow and Huron. The Erk
Oazette lists the steamboat Walk- in-the-Water, and schooners, Franklin. Superior, Beaver.
SeucyJane, Williams, Farmer, Commodore Perry, Friendship, Pontiac. Liberty. Diliw=.
Oeneral Jackson, Hannah. Michiaen. Lady Washington and Commodore Decatur. as among the
vessels that passed through Erie between 1820 and 1823. Types of cargo included passengers,
merchandise, dry goods, sundries, oil, fish, tobacco, salt plaster, whiskey, limestone and
ballast.

An 1830 edition of the Erie Gazette makes a reference to the amount of activity at Erie's
port:

"Besides the numerous schooners that constantly crowd our
wharves, waiting their several turns to load and unload, seven
fine steamboats have full and profitable employment. One of these
boats, now leaves our harbor every morning crowded with freight
and passengers..." (Erie Gazette, S/ 13/1830).

Samuel Hazerds Annals of Pennsylvania lists 86 different vessels that were operating on
Lake Erie which had an agFegate tonnage of 5,024 (Hazard, vol. 7, 160). Ten of the listed
vessels were steamboats. Included in the "Partial list of vessels owned and navigated on the
south shore of Lake Erie during the summer of 183 1 ", were 69 schooners, 2 sloops, and I I
steamboats" ( Hazard, vol. 9. 7 1 ). A statement made by an Erie merchant and published in
Hazards 1835 edition of the Annals of Pennsylvania notes that, "we we gratified to learn that a
new arrangement has been made by the grand committee, who have charge of the steamboat
combination Lake Erie, try which all the boats are hereafter required to come to our harbor', on
their passage up and down the lake' (Hazard, vol. 16, 6 1 ). At this time there were 34
steamboats and over 150 brigs, schooners and slODPS trading on Lake Erie,

Revenues earned at Erie's port increased in proportion to the rising number of port
entrances and clearances. Imports for 1851 total just less than $2,000,000 and exports
reached more then $,2,200,000 (Sanford, 136). A total Of $4,206,483 worth of commodities
were shipped through Erie that year. Items imported included; general merchandise, flour,
fish, and iron and materials that were exported included, wool, wood, lumber, glass, staves,
bar-iron and coal. A steady increase in port activity was maintained during the remainder of the

PrehistoricMistoric OvwAsw 20

19th century. The number of port entrances and clearances rose from 1,333 in 1860 to 2.024
in 1880 (HEC, 28 1 ).

The principle firms that operated port facilities during the middle of ft 19th century
included; the Ardw Line, the Hard Coal Docks, the Phi ladelphia- Erie Rai ]road, the Erie and
Pittsburgh Railroad, the Reed Line, the Watson Line and the city's Public Dock (Nelson,
420-42 1 ). The Anchor Steamboat Line opened in 1868 under the name of the Erie and Western
Transportation Company. At the height of its service, the Anchor Line operated 18 steamers in a
charter service for Lake Erie merchants. Its Lake Erie operations were based in Erie, where the
company owned 40 acres of waterfront property. Much of the land was a gift from the city to
encourage development of Its port Furthermore, the city offered waterfront property to the
Sunbury and Erie Company, which was later renamed the Philadelphia - Erie Railroad Company.

Two major items of exchange at Erie during the middle of the 19th century were anthracite
coal and lumber. David Burton and Son was the major shipper of coal at Erie. Several firms
were involved with the lucrative lumber trade. the Baus&ffd Brothers, the Carroll Brothers,
Lyham Felheim and David Schlosser. Other, items that were shipped from Erie include;
limestone, fish, vegetables and farm products (Nelson, 422). Over the last quarter of the 19th
century, trade at Erie's part continued a ste* increase. In 1887, there were 1 221 arrivals
and departures at Erie and nine years later there were 3,100 arrivals and departures listed in
the port records. Furthermore, the port records for 1896 illustrate the growing reliance by
merchants an the steamboat; steamboat cargo tonnage exceeded sail/barge tonnage by almost ten
to one,

However, the growth realized during the second half of the I 9th century did not carry over
into the 20th century. The emergence of the railroad contributed to the demise of the part.
Fishing did continue to contribute to the local ecwxxny until the middle stages of the 20th
century. Erie was considered at this time to be the world's largest freshwater fishing port
(Northwest Institute, 3-20).

Send, gravel and limestone replaced coal, iron ore and lumber as the major commodities that
were shipped through Erie over the last twenty yews. Annual traffic through the port of Erie
for the ten year period ending in 1976 averaged 1, 174,000 tons.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 21

Navigation

A discussion of Presque Isle Bay's historic navigational channels, natural hazards to
navigation and man's efforts to enhance the navigation in the vicinity, will provide date that may
have effected the deposition and preservation of cultural in the water basin.
Information in this section was used by researchers to determine the historic nature of the
environmental conditions within Presque Isle Bay. Thus, certain areas within the bay can be
eliminated from consideration as potential locations for submerged cultural resources because of
the nature of disturbance activities related to the dredging of the harbor.

Presque Isle Peninsula forms one of the few natural harbors on the southern shore of Lake
Erie. Contained within Presque Isle Peninsula, Presque Isle Bay affords all types of vessels a
we] I -protected, deep water harbor. Historically, the entrance channel at the mouth of the bay
was a treacherous route that was obstructed by a sancl bar that constantly shifted The Army
Corps of Engineers initiated a channel maintenance project at Presque Isle Bay in 1824. This
project became one the Corps' first continuous maintenance projects in the country. Following
is a brief account of the historic navigational and environmental conditions that were present in
the bay and some of the highlights of man's efforts to improve those conditions.

During the first two J- a Is - of the 19th century, merchant traffic in Lake Erie was
commonly restricted to shoreline travel because of the lack of suitable charts and other
navigational aids. Captain James Sloan, in his journal from 1815, recorded the typical method
of navigation used by his contemporary mariners. According to Sloan's account, a captain had to
remain, "close in shore, noting the mouths of weeks and rivers so as to make harbor In case of
necessity" (Drescher, 5 1 ). No navigational charts for Lake Erie were produced until later in
the 19th century and the first navigational light, which was a lighthouse on Presque Isle
Peninsula, was not built until 1818. Construction of the lighthouse had been authorized by an
act passed in April, 1811, which stated that the occupancy and use of certain lands near Presque
Isle, not less than two or more than four acres are to be ceded to the United States for the
purpose of a lighthouse (Sanford, 134). The lighthouse new the distal end of the peninsula, was
rebuilt in 1857.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 22

The first survey at Presque Isle was completed in 1819 by Major John Anderson of the
United States Topographical Engineers. This project produced the first navigational chart of the
southern portion of Lake Erie. Anderson reported the presence of a 'long, low send bar" at the
entrance channel to Presque Isle Bay, that was "at the time being narrow and tortuous with a
depth of only six feet" (Wilson, 2172).

A second, more extensive survey was author ized by Congress in 1823 to document the
existing channel conditions. General Simon Bernard and Lieutenant Colonel J.G. Totten completed
the project and commented that the "narrow, winding, intricate" channel was located an the
eastern half of the inlet and it had an average *th of six feet. The report Bernard and Totten
submitted contained information on the rise and fall of the water level in the bay. This variation
was caused primarily by the fluctuation in wind direction and intensity and it directly
influenced the velocity of the water current which flowed through the inlet. The report
concluded that there was a need to harness the current at the inlet to help naturally maintain the
channel depth. Bernard and Totten felt that the construction of two breakwaters at the inlet
would effectively constrict the width of the current to maintain a sufficient velocity to naturally
deepen the channel.

Specifically, the report suggested that the two Inlet breakwaters be built;

to form two parallel embankments, separated 200 feet from
... Blockhouse Point to deep water in the lake and with the
exception of this passage, to close the whole of the mouth of the
basin by a line of continuous piles from Blockhouse Point to
Hospital Point" (Wilson, 2173).

Based primarily upon the recommendations included in Bernard and Totten's report, a series
of piers and dikes were designed to eliminate the sand bars and deepen the harbor at Erie. This
project*becafne the prototype for early work by the Corps of Engineers on the entire lower Great
Lakes. A $20,000 appropriation was authorized by Congress in May, 1824 to finance the
construction of piers and dikes at the Presque Isle Bay Inlet. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
contributed an additional $ 10,000 to the project. By the end of 1824, two-thirds of the
proposed south breakwater at the inlet had been completed. In the following year, the north
breakwater and 900 feet of the north channel pier were completed.

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 23

A further appropriation of $7,000 was authorized in March, 1826 to prolong the north
channel pier 390 feet into the lake and across the swdbar. This construction was undertaken to
prevent further encroachment of the =0 across the proMW channel, as the South channel pier
could not be started until the South breakwater was finished. It was stated that in 1826, the bar
at the inlet to the bay had been decreased in width from 900 feet to less than 200 feet and the
channel depth had been increased approximately four feet (Wilson, 2173).

All original construction on the entrance breakwaters and piers was finished by 1828. In
1829, the depth of the harbor varied from seven and one-half feet to fifteen feet. A minimum
depth of twelve feet was maintained by 1833. However, during the winter of 1833, natural
erosion broached a channel through the neck of the peninsula. An excerpt from an entry in
Hazards Annals, mentions that;

"Since ft construction of the piers, at the entrance of the harbor
by which a deep and safe p has been formed, the water of the
lake has been gradually wearing away the neck of the peninsula
and has at length formed a channel 7 1/2 feet in depth. Several
schooners and the steamboat ah-jedpn Thompson have passed
through. We understand it is staked out and that vessels bound up
or down, touching at our wharves, will save six miles selling, by
passing through the new channel. As it Is still wearing, we may
expect there wi I I be water enough, shortly, for ft largest craft
that sails the lake" (Hazard, vol. 8, 62).

Certain daring and opportunistic mariners used the the newly breached channel to save time
on their westward voyages. However, no documentation was found to indicate that the breached
channel was used at all after the first several years that it opened Slightly more than $3,000
was appropriated in 1834 to close the breach. Approximately 1 000 cords of stone were
deposited at the breach. This initial measure proved to be ineffective and by 1835, ft breach
only widened. This prompted a Corps of Engineers worker to comment that;

"... where trees thickly stood when work began in 1824, there
was now an opening nearly a mile wide and increasing. Lt. Brown
submitted a plan for partially closing the breach by cribwork,
but leaving a channel 400 feet wide so that vessels might enter or
depart from either end" (Wilson, 2176).

Shortly thereafter, the channel did begin to shoal, but it did remain a t least partially open

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 24

until 1864 - when it was reported that the breach had completely closed.

In 1834. the width of the inlet entrance channel varied from a minimum of 375 feet at the
east end of the southern pier to 600 feet at the prolongation point of the south harbor pier. A
twelve foot minimum depth was maintained at the entrance channel which was reported to have;

"A sufficient depth of water for any vessels on the lake. The
shoelest place in the channel from the mouth of the harbor to Col.
Reed's piers was 8 feet; and the water In the bay was at times 6
inches lower then on the previous day and low than it has been
known for several years" (Hazard, vol. 13, 304).

In the following year, Lt. Brown from the Engineers Department took soundings of the
channel and Presque Isle Bay. According to his soundings, the depth between the entrance piers,
where the channel is 600 feet wide, was 19 feet; where the width of the channel narrom to
400 feet wide, a 20 foot depth was recorded. Water depth in general varied from 10 to 20 feet
from the piers into Presque Isle Bay (Hazard, vol. 16, 6 1 ). In 1844, over $40,000 was
appropriated for the repair of the east end of the breakwaters and to continue crib working at
the west end. The breach, which opened in 1833 and at one point in 1835 was reported to be a
mile wide, had been reduced to a width of 3,000 feet by 1844, with a depth of 5 or 6 feet.

Over the course of the next 52 years, five further harbor surveys were completed by the
Army Corps of Engineers; in 1865, 1875, 1884, 1888 and 1896 (Symons, 3098). Various
different breakwater, jetty and cribwork projects were undertaken to stabilize erosion and
enhance the channel depth. Records indicate that in 1879, the harbor channel was 350 feet wide
and 16 feet deep (Wilson, 2186). In 1897, three different Oorps projects were undertaken. A
series of timber crib-work piers and breakwaters, filled with stone and covered with pine
plank, were constructed at three different locations along the harbor channel.

The Army Corps of Engineers have continued the "Erie Harbor Maintentance Project"
throughout the 20th century. Various acknerxknents to the original Rivers and Harbor Act of
1824 have authorized increased the channel depth to 20 feet in 1910, 25 feet in 1953 and to
the present 29 feet. The entrance channel was widened and straightened in 1933 and the channel
approaches were approved in 1942. In addition to maintaining the harbor channel, the Army

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 25

Corps of Engineers have undertaken projects to protect Presque Isle Peninsula In 19S6, the
Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania completed a cooperative beach
erosion control project at PNMue Isle Peninsula Work In the project provided for the
improvement and restoration of a five mile section of lake shoreline. Sandfill was deposited
along the shoreline and a seawall and a groin system was constructed. Slightly more than
4,100,000 cubic yards of send was placed, 10 groins were built and nearly 3,000 feet of linear
seawall was rebuilt.

Through January 1978, three phases of an extended nourishment project were finished at
Presque Isle Peninsula. More then 650,000 tons of sand were deposited during this project.
Furthermore, three experimental breakwaters were built in 1978 and a fourth nourishment
project was completed in the spring of 1978.

An update for the existing "Erie Harbor Maintenance Project" is ]Wed in the "Current Civil
Work Projects of the U.& Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District ( 1983)". The report
mentions the status of the pi- t project:

"Construction of a diked disposal arm for the confinement of the
polluted material dredged from Erie harbor was completed in
1979. When the area, is filled probably in about 10 years, it
will be turned over to the Erie Western Pennsylvania Port
Authority ... Surveys are taken periodically to determine the
extent and location of shoals in navigation channels. Periodic
inspections of piers and breakwaters are also made..." (Corps,
Buffalo District, 1983, 12).

Also listed in the "Current Civil Works Project" are two additional projects related to Erie's
harbor and the waterfront; the "Priesque Isle Cooperative Beach Erosion Control Project" and the
"Presque Isle Peninsula Cooperative Beach Nourishment Project". The former project has been
authorized (as of 1983) and the latter project is under construction. A description of the
Erosion Control Project states that the recommended plan involves the construction of 58
breakwaters, 150 feet long, 350 apart and 300- 400 feet offshore, as wel I as sand nourishment
(Corps, Buffalo District, 1983, 6). Authorized by the 1976 Water Resources Development Act,
the Beach Nourishment Project, has been designed to replenish the deminishing sand resources
on Presque Isle Peninsula A description of the project mentions that, "... each spring sand is

Prehistoric/Historic Overview 26

placed on the shore of the peninsula before the bathing season begins. In recent years, the
amount of sand deposited has averaged more than 200,000 tons* (Corps, Buffalo District,
1983,9).

The present entrance channel from the lake to the mouth of Presque Isle Bay is maintained at
a depth of 29 feet and is 500 feet wide (see fig. Between the south wd north piers at the bay
inlet, ft 29 foot channel narrows to a width of 220 feet. Within the Presque Isle Bay, the 29
foot channel widens to 300 feet before reaching the harbor basin. The harbor basin, also 29 feet
deep, is a rectangular aree that measures 2,700 feet by 1,300 feet. Adjoining areas to the
northeast and southwest of the main harbor basin are maintained at a 28 foot depth.
Furthermore, a 21 foot approach channel is maintained further west in the harbor to the piers@
of the United Refining Company, the Erie Builders Concrete Company and the Austin Erie
Company.

The natural water depth for the remainder of the Bay averages approximately IS- 18 feet.
Very shallow water is found at the neck of the bay and along the entire length of the Erie
waterfront west of the United Refining Company at the mouth of Cascade Creek. Furthermore,
very shallow water is found adJacent to most of the Presque Isle Peninsula shoreline. Inthe
center portions of the bay, between the entrance to the Presque Isle Marine and the Erie
Waterworks, the typical water depth is 22-24 feet. Slightly further to the east, the water
depth for the area of the bay which is north of the harbor basin and south of Misery Bay averages
approximately 10- 12 feet. Divers encounteret! a soft layer of mud, normally I to 2 feet deep,
at most dive locations throughtout the bay. Below the soft sediment was a harder packed send
bottom.

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IF
p R E S 0 U E
13
0
C
, @ff@f

8 A Y

4D1

AFF
IF 01
0",

V
@V:
U.S.

Figure 1 Navigational Channels: Presque Isle Bay

Previous Archaeo)ogice) Work 28

PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK

The first underwater archaeological survey of in this portion of Lake Erie was an assessment
of Misery Bay. It was a joint exploratory project in July, 1984, involving personnel from the
Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation and the United States Naval Reserve Mobile and
Diving Selvage Unit from Cleveland Using Information obtained from local diving enthusiasts,
the project participants recorded the location of two shipwrecks in the Bay and completed a
preliminary assessment of the sites.

The fieldwork portion of a 1985 project entitled, "A Preliminary Survey toAnelyze the
Potential Presence of SubmerVed Cultural Resources In the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny
Rivers and the Pennsylvania Portion of Lake Erie", was centered in Misery Bay. In the report
M !sery Bay was identified as possessing a high potential to contain submerged cultural
resources. A magnetometer and diving survey was completed in the Bay during the W week of
July, 1985. Information from the magnetometer survey was used to compile a magnetic contour
map which profiled all encounteredanomalies or targets. Dives were completed on ten of the
most significant targets, including the two wrecks identified in 1984. Each of the two wrecks
was dated to the lost quarter of the l9th century and preliminary observations on the structural
remains and condition of the site were recorded.

In November, 1986 a report entitled, "A Historical and Archaeological Assessment of Three
Submerged Cultural Resources in Pennsylvania". was submitted to the Pennsylvania Bureau for
Historic Preservation. One of the three researched wreck sites was a late 19th century wood
hull sailing vessel which was originally identified in Misery Bay in 1984. A limited excavation
was conducted at the site with personnel from the Little Creek, Va., Reserve Unit of the United
States Naval Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2. A preliminary site map of exposed timbers was
prepared and all artifacts were photographed and sketched before they were returned to the site.

A related project, designed to assess the extent of cultural resources in the Lake Erie Coastal
Zone, was submitted to the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation in April, 1983. "An
Historic Resources Protection Plan for the Lake Erie Coastal Zone" identified shoreline areas in
Erie County where terrestrial archaeological sites are located

Environmental Conditions 29

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Lake Erie is the fourth largest of the Great Lakes; it covers 9,940 square miles (it is 241
miles long, 30 to 57 miles wide), and it isc. 572 feet above see level. Navigation between
Lake Huron and Lake Erie follows a natural channel via the Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River
and the Detroit River. Between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, navigation Is made possible by the
Welland Canal which bypasses Niagara Falls. The State Barge Canal (formerly the Erie Canal)
and the Hudson River connect Lake Erie with the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Erie is situated between
Canada and the United States. The United States has approximately 400 miles of coastline along
Lake Erie; Pennsylvania has only a 44 mile shoreline. However, the six mile long Presque Isle
Peninsula, located approximately halfway between the Ohio and New York borders, provides
Pennsylvania with one of the principle commercial ports on Lake Erie. Other principle ports on
Lake Erie are Buffalo and Dunkirk, New York; Conneaut, Astabula, Cleveland, Lorain, Sandusky
and Toledo, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan (on the lake inlet); Port Colborne, Port Dover, Port Stanley
W Leamington, Cianada.

Typically, ice closes Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes to navigation from mid-December
until the end of March. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes with a maximum depth of
210 feet and an average depth of 62 feet. Because of its shallow water depth, Lake Erie forms
more ice than the other Great Lakes and it is subject to violent frontal storms. Strong eastward
winds often push the water in the lake toward New York and Pennsylvania - lowering the lake
water ]eye] more than eight feet at Toledo at times and gorging the Niagara River to double its
normal flow. In addition to the unpredictable weather conditions, the Pennsylvania shoreline is
exposed to high ffffW wave action, ice floes and debris. A high degree of erosion has afflicted
many portions of the Pennsylvania shoreline. Much of the lake plain in Pennsylvania features
80 foot cliffs at the lake shoreline.

Along the Pennsylvania portion of Lake Erie there are twelve major creek tributaries which
feed the )eke (see fig. 2). Both Elk Creek and Walnut Creek are located to the west of Presque
Isle Peninsula. Walnut Creek empties into Lake Erie approximately 5 miles west of the base of
the peninsula and Elk Greek empties into the lake 13 miles west of the peninsula. Walnut Creek
is presently used extensively by local sport fishermen as a launching facility for their vessels.

LAKE ERIE

"0'4

IE RIE

WALMUI C219K

Elk
CAPE,

Scale in Mile

2 1 0

Lake Erie Shoreline

Environmental Conditions 3 f

The Pennsylvania Fish Commission maintainsa facility at the mouth of Walnut Creek. The
mouth of Elk Creek is not maintained for navigation and is very shallow.

Presque Isle Peninsula is a six mile long recurved send spit that encloses Presque Isle Bay
and Erie Harbor. In 192 1, the peninsula was declared a Pennsylvania State Park and is
presently maintained the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. The park
provides over six miles of beaches for recreational use. Furthermore, the park is used
extensively by fishermen and boaters. It has become the most popular state park in
Pennsylvania and features dines, lagoons, nature paths, biking paths and numerous boating
facilities. The peninsula is joined to the mainland by a narrow 250 foot wide section of land and
extends into Lake Erie in a northeast direction. It reaches a maximum width of one and a quarter
miles near the distal end of the peninsula The peninsula is a unique geological feature, hmwever,
it is exposed to a considerable amount erosion. In the first half of the 19th century, a channel
was breached through the peninsula, near its base. Serious erosion again a problem in the first
half of the 20th century. The Army Corps of Engineers presently oyersees an extensive project
designed to protect the peninsula from further erosion.

PreWiie Isle Bay features a 29 foot channel to the major harbor facilities along the Erie
waterfront. The average depth in the bay is approximately 15 feet. It is a relatively well
protected body of water that is used extensively by recreational vessels in the warmer months.

I
I
I
i
I
I
I
I FIELDWORK INVESTIGATION
I
I
I
II
II
I
I
I
I
I
I

Methodology 32

METHODOLOGY

From 9-30 July, a four member archaeological survey group representing the Maritime
Historical Institute conducted a remote sensing survey and diving investigation at three selected
Lake Erie woes; Presque Isle Bay, the mouth of Walnut Creek and the mouth of Elk Creek (see
fig. 3). While only magnetic data was compiled at the Walnut Creek and Elk Creek sites, both
magnetic and acoustic data was collected at the Presque Isle Bay work area. A Littlemore
Scientific Marine Proton Procession Small Boat Magnetometer, Model 3202, with a plus or
minus one gamma resolution and a recording strip chart, was used to collect magnetic data. A
Klein 500 KHz Side Scan Sonar with two channel recorder ca*ilities was used to compile
acoustic data Survey work was performed onboard a 21 foot Privateer survey vessel which was
equipped with a Northstar 500 Loran C unit and an Epsco loran driven track- platter.

Designated survey corner points were plotted on a navigational chart of Prexp Isle Bay to
create seven different survey areas within the bay. Only one survey each was required at
Walnut Creek and Elk Creek. Survey lanes, not exceeding 150 foot spacing intervals, were
completed in a systematic fashion to assure comprehensive coverage of the nine survey areas.
Positioning of the survey vessel was recorded with the onboard Northstar 500 Loran C unit The
Epsco loran driven track-plotter was used by the boat operator to help maintain proper lane
spacing. Survey marks, at predesignated loran reading intervals - normally every two latitude
seconds, were simultaneously notated on each of the remote sensing equipment pieces to
facilitate the compilation of remote sensing information. All remote sensing information was
thus correlated with the vessel position during all portions of each survey lane.

A total of 147 lanes were completed in the nine survey arm. At Walnut Creek and Elk
Creek, survey Ianes were run parallel to the shoreline. In the Presque Isle Bay survey areas,
lanes were generally run north-sDuth along different longitudes. However, shallow water in
many of the shoreline areas within Presque Isle Bay, prevented surveying with side scan sonar
close to shore. For the sonar unit to be effective, it had to be lowered approximately eight feet in
the water column while being towed. To ensure the most comprehensive acoustic coverage
possible, a survey lane was completed around the entire perimeter of Presque Isle Bay. By
7 towi rig the sonar parallel to shore, an acoustic return was received from shallow water areas
IR

,:,...::ntario

Lake Erie

-81

Eri

Pennsylvania

Survey Areas
ol

Figure 3

Methodology 34

were the vessel could not otherwise be navigated with the tow-fish In the water.

At the completion of each survey day, researchers inspected survey records to identify
potential targets. Magnetic arid/or acoustic anornelies were identified according to signature
characteristics which suggested an association with cultural material. The position of each
significant target was recorded for further investigation and evaluation. At the completion of the
initial phase of the remote sensing survey, each of the high probability targets were relocated
and visually inspected by archaeologists. Divers systematically inspected the target areas to
determine the nature of the target. At targets where modern debris was identified only the
location and environmental conditions were recorded in cDnj unction with a narrative
description. At targets where cultural material was discovered, the area was designated as a
submerged site and more extensive documentation was accumulated. At each of the sites,
researchers, in accordance with accepted standards for arcliaeological investigation, documented
in situ structural remains. A site map was prepared for each of the sites.

Target Analysis 35

TARGET ANALYSIS

introduction

Following the remote sensing portion of this project, magnetic and acoustic date generated
during the survey was analyzed to identify and locate each of the significant targets. Magnetic data
was contour plotted for each survey area, Sonogram records were correlated with magnetic
anomalies and analyzed for target specific information. Each significant magnetic, ecousticand
combination magnetic-acoustic target was designated with a target number and individually
assessed to generate date for the final report narrative. Target signatures which were suggestive
of submerged cultural material were isolated for diving investigations to determine specific
identity and recordation of structural remains and environmental conditions.

The identification of significant magnetic and acoustic signatures was based on several criteria,
Magnetometer data was contour plotted and each anomaly was am" according to; magnetic
intensity (total distortion of the magnetic background in gammas), pulse duration (signature
length) and signature characteristics (negative monopolar, positive monopolar, dipoler and
multi-cDmponent). Side scan sonar acoustic signatures were analyzed according to there spatial
extent (total area of disturbance) and signature characteristics (shape, relief above the bottom,
strength of return and contrast with the background).

These criteria for analyzing remote sensing targets have been developed from a data base of
target signatures that have been accumulated over the last two decades. The use of proton
procession mWtDmeters to locate submerged cultural resources was discussed In 1965 by
Breiner and MecNaugton at the Second Conference on Underwater Archaeology. Shortly thereafter
both Clausen ( 1966) and Hal I discussed the applied use of a magnetometer in underwater
archaeology. Initially, several factors limited the use of magnetometers. It was not until the
1970's that sufficient magnetic date was compiled which allowed for reliable typological analysis
of signature characteristics. Breiner ( 1973) published an 'Applications Manuel for Portable
Magnetometers", which listed the basic elements of signature analysi& In 1975 and 19.76,
Clausen and Arnold discussed a system of controlling date collection during the magnetic delineation

Target Analysis 36

of shipwreck sites which permitted contour platting of the data

The further development of typological classifications of magnetic signatures was primarily
caused by state and Federal legislative mandates of the m id- 1970'& These mandates were designed
to assist in the protection and management of submerged cultural resources. In 1975, the
Department of the Interior published "Minimum Geophysical Requirements to Protect Cultural
Resources", which listed remote sensing survey requirements for locating underwater
archaeological sites. The combination of further research and legislative mandates regarding
underwater sites has produced an extensive base of remote sensing data and reliable
characteristics for submerged cultural resources signatures have been identified.

Recent publications indicate that a variety of magnetic signatures may be found at shipwreck
sites. Clausen and Arnold reported that the remains of numerous early sailing craft found in
Florida and Texas generated signatures that consist of "a central area of magnetic distortion
characterized by a number of intense and generally localized anomalies surrounded and, depending
on the depth and dispersion of the wreck, in some instances, interspersed try scattered, smaller
magnetic disturbances". However, research conducted by Watts in North Carolina ( 1980) and
other archaeologists along the eastern seaboard confirmed that pre- 1850 shipwrecks could
generate decidedly different signatures.

OordDn Watts and Allen Saltus (Watts, 1980) reported during an investigation of the Mark
Clark Expressway Wando River Corridor in Charleston, that pre- 1850 shipwreck sites could
generate small signatures. Ground truthing of a long duration, low intensity 20 gamma target site
confirmed that the signature was created by the remains of an 85 foot long vessel dating to the
third quarter of the 18th century. Broadwater ( 1978) reported that Revolutionary War era
shipwreck sites in the York River at Yorktown, Va., were found to produce similar low intensity
signatures. Furthermore, a magnetometer survey of 18th century ferries in the Northeast Cape
Fear River, near Wilmington, N.C., (Watts, 1986), and other similar investigations have
documented that certain wooden hull vessels fastened with wood and iron produce no reliably
detectable signature.
Recent investigations of large wooden shipwrecks of the post 1850 period indicate that such
sites generate larger magnetic signatures, often in excess of several hundred gammas. Surveys

Target Analysis 37

conducted on iron and steel hull Civil War era shipwrecks documented that such sites frequently
generated a dipolar or multi-component signature in excess of one tNxwW gammas. According to
these and other similar findings, it might appear that shipwreck signatures could be reliably
characterized strictly on the basis of intensity, duration and configuration.

However, modern vessels and deposits of modern ferrous material also generate sim I lar
signatures. Investigation of target signatures on the Tombigbee River by Seltus and Murphy
confirmed that many deposits of modern debris are virtual ly indistinguishable from the signatures
of historic shipwreck remains. The fact that small vessel remains are very difficult to
differentiate from modern debris has been documented by further investigations on the Elizabeth
River, Va. (Watts, 1982), in Matagonda Bay, Tx. (Arnold, 198 1 ) and In Mobile Bay (IrIon and
Bond, 1984).

Although, a brief review of recent remote sensing surveys confirms that diagnostic signature
characteristics iated with various types of shipwreck sites exist, few can be identified on
magnetic data alone. The ambiguous nature of magnetic signatures has led researchers to use
acoustic remote sensing equipment in conjunction with a magnetometer on most surveys.
Additional data provided by acoustic instruments frequently permits target identification to be
made solely from remote sensing information.

Acoustic data, in the form of sonagram records, is produced by processing sound waves emitted
into the water column and bounced back off the bottom surface and exposed object& State of the art
sonar units can produce a high resolution sonagram record which is almost photographic in
quality. However, a certain degree of structural integrity of a site must remain above the bottom
to produce a reliable shipwreck signature. Not all shipwreck sites return a detailed and diagnostic
signature. sonagram records produced during the investigations of the USS MONITER, off Cape
Hatteras, N.C. (Watts, 1975, Edgerton, 1986), and CSS GEOROIA , in the Savannah River near
Savannah, W., lark a well defined acoustic image, However, excellent indicators of size and
configuration were derived from the sonagram records and often, specific features surviving
within the structure can be identified.

Scattered and buried shipwreck sites are very difficult. if not impossible to distinguish.

Target Analysis 38

Acoustic records of an identified shipwreck in the Wando River, Charleston, S.C.. produced little
diagnostic evidence of the site. At best, the target ODUId be identified as a scatter of bottom surface
material. Fortunately, modern debris produces sonagram records that are easily identified.
Typically, modern debris such as cable, pipe, chain and tires produce strong returns because they

are hard refractors.

A combination of magnetic and acoustic remote sensing date has proven to be the most effective
method to accurately identify and assess submerged targets. While the following list contains
numerous anomalies which were listed as targets, only selected targets producing signatures
characteristic of submerged cultural resources were chosen for further investigation. The most
attractive targets produced both a defined magnetic and acoustic signature.

A total of 56 remote sensing targets were identified; 32 magnetic anomalies, 17 acoustic
anomalies and 7 magnetic-ecoustic anomalies (see enclosed magnetic contour map for the entire
Presque Isle Bay). The targets have been listed according to each survey wee. Accompanying the
target designation is the location, type of site, confirmation of further investigation and a
description of the target.

Section A- I

Section A- I was located at the neck of PresU Isle Peninsula (see fig. 4). Survey corners
0 1 , at 42 07 19, 80 08 68 and 02, at 42 07 05, 80 08 27 were established to identify the
northeastern boundary of the survey area. The southwestern boundwy of the survey aree was
along the three foot depth contour of the bay. This made the area approximately 1,500 feet wide.
Sixteen survey lam, which provided 100 foot spacing intervals between lanes, were completed
on 17 July on both sides of a two part gram island that had formed in the middle of the survey
area. Fifteen of the lanes were run between the peninsula and the Erie waterfront in a roughly
northwest to southeast fashion, while one lane was completed around the perimeter of the grass
island

Only magnetic remote sensing was completed in this area. Very shallow water and the presence

.2 .0*

15
14*

6a 8

6
5
*12

3.
Survey A
4
wow

...'s"
2b

FigUre 4

Target Ana"is 40

of an extensive amount of marine growth within the survey area prevented the use of side scan
sonar in Section A- 1. A total of five magnetic targets were identified during the survey.
However, a pipeline from the Erie Waterworks extends across the bay in this area. Much of the
area is magnetically masked by this pipeline and targets were difficult to distinguish. A sizable
grassy island was growing in the middle of the survey area and several of the targets were possibly
related to the island Unconfirmed reports from local residents have mentioned that this area was
rasionBlly used to scuttle old vessels. However, no distinctive magnetic signatures were
detected

Following is a list of the identified targets in section A- 1.

Number Position Type, Dived On Location/Description
6-1,11 420711 mag, no in In. I; it had a 24 gamma, negative, monopolar
800836 signature which extended over 5 pulses.
a-1,2 420710 mag, no in In. I; it had a 42 gamma, positive, manopolar
800844 signature which extended over a 5 pulse duration.

a- 1 .3 420710 mag, no in In. 3; it had a 60 gamma dipolar signature
800843 which extended wer 7 pulses.

a- 1 4 420715 mag, no in In. 3; it had a 70 gamma dipolar signature
800853 which extended over 8 pulses.

8-1.5 420705 mag, no in In. 4; it had a 40 gamma dipolar signature
800843 which extended over a 9 pulse duration.

Section A

Section A bordered on Section A- I to the west and extended as far east as the Erie Yacht Club
(see fig. 5). Survey corners, 0 1, 02 (used in Section A- 1). 03. at 42 07 43, 80 08 15 and
04, at 42 07 26, 80 08 02 (the corner of the Erie Yacht Club pier) were established to outline
the survey area. These corners provided for a survey area that was approximately 2,500 feet
wide. The distance between the peninsula end of the survey area and the mainland side of the ares
was approximately 2,600 feet long. A total of 24 survey Ianes, which provided 104 foot spacing

15
14*

-2 Q9,
8a

10
13

el2

Survey A

t.A

41 at,

Figure 5

Target Analysis 42

intervals between Imes, were completed on 11, 12 July between the peninsula and the Erie
waterfront. Both magnetic and acoustic (utilizing a side scan soner unit) remote sensing
information were compiled in Section&

A total of seventeen remote sensing targets were identified in the survey. Eight of the targets
were magnetic anomalies, seven of the targets were acoustic and three were combined magnetic and
acoustic targets. While most of the magnetic targets in this arm can be reliably dismissed as cable
and modern debris, several of the sonar targets were considered significant axK* to warrant
further investigation. Dives were undertaken at five different target locations in an attempt to
identify the material that was responsible for generating the remote sensing signature. However,
no historically significant material was located In Section A.

Following is a list of the identified remote sensing targets in Section A.

Number Position Type- Dived On Lwation/Description
al 420726 sow, no in In. 2; it was detected 25 meters out an the part
800807 channel of the sonar, and was approximately 7
meters by five meters in size. The target produced
a hard, angular return in light sediment and
possessed little or no relief off the bottom.

a2 420737 sonar, no in In 3; it was found 50 out on the starboard
800819 channel and was thought to be a 4 meters by 5
meters scatter of debris. The target produced a
hard return with little relief off the bottom.

a3 420725 sonar, no in In. 7; the target was detected 48 meters out on
800810 the starboard channel wW produced a hard,
rectangular return with no relief off the bottom.

e4 420727 mag, yes in In. 7; the target had a 65 gamma dipolar
800816 signature which extffKbd over a 9 pulse duration.
Divers confirmed the nature of the target when
they discovered a I " cable strewn across the
targetarea.

85 420734 mag, no In In. 10; the target had a 17 gamma negative,
800830 monopolar signature which extended over a 6
pulse duration.

Target Analysis 43

a6 420716 mag, no in In. I I ; the target had a 30 gamma positive,
800812 monopolar signature which extended over 4
pulses.

a7 420719 mag, no in In. I I ; the target had a 60 gamma negative
800814 monopolar signature which extended over 4
pulses.

08 420722 mag-sonar, yes in In. 12; the target had a 100 gamma
800823 multi-component signature that extended over a
30 pulse duration. Acoustic records indicated a
broad scatter of debris over a wide wee. Divers
at the target encountered a variety of modern
material in the wee; I " cable, pipe fittings and
pieces, and the remains of a ladder.

89 420723 mag, no in In. 14; the target had 45 gamma negative,
800827 monopolar signature which extended over 9
pulses. It was a single source targeL

810 420725 mag, no in In. 16; the target had a 35 gamma dipolar
800835 signature which extended over a 9 pulse duration.

all 420723 sonar, yes in In. 15; the target was found 45 meters out on
800834 the port channel, in shallow water. Sonar records
indiceted a boxlike structure, 2 meters by 3
meters with a moderate amount of relief off a soft
bottom. Two inch cable with large cable clamps
was found in soft sediment

a12 420727 mag-sonar, yes in In. 18; the target, had a 22 gamma positive,
800847 monopolar signature which extended over 3
pulses. Sonar records indicated a small object 3
meters out on the starboard channel with low
relief that was approximately I meter square.
Divers confirmed the presence of a 6 foot square
concrete anchor which had a section of 1/2 inch
chain attached.

a13 420720 mag, no in In. 19; the target had a 26 gamma positive,
800843 monopolar signature which extended over 4
a14 42 07 19 mag, no pulses.
in In. 20; the target had a 15 gamma positive,
800847 monopolar signature which extended over a 4
pulse duration.

Target Analysis 44

a15 420721 mag-sonar, yes in In. 2 1 ; the target had a 42 gam me positive,
800849 monopolar signature which extended over five
pulses. A large depression in a sandy bottom was
recorded on the sonar return. Diving activity
confirmed the presence of a large depression in
the bottom, but no magnetic material was
discovered.

e16 420718 sonar, no in In. 22; the target was found 60 meters out on
800850 the port channel. Sonar records indicated an
object approximately 5 meters by 12 meters in
size that had two parallel items protruding from
the center portion of the object There was low
relief on the hard return.

a17 420717 sonar, no in In. 12; the target was detected 10 meters out on
800813 the port channel, in shallow water. The sonar
return indicated a small, round object that was
approximately 1 meter by 2 meters. There was a
small amount of relief on the hard return.

Section 5

Section B bordered on Section A to the west and was marked on the eastern side by two points
that were plotted with loran readings (see fig@ 6). The western side of Section 8 was approximately
midway between the Erie Yacht Club and the United Refining Company pier at the mouth of Cascade
Creek. A survey area, that was 3,000 feet wide and extended approximately 6,000 feet on the
eastern side and 7,000 feet on the western side, was established. Survey corners 04 (used in
Section A), 05, at 42 08 34, 80 07 52, 06, at 42 08 35, 80 07 25 and 07, at 42 07 35, 80 07
20, were plotted to create the rectangular area. Shallow water along the Erie waterfront between
the Erie Yacht Club pier and survey corner 07, prevented the survey vessel from being operated
any closer than 600 feet from shore.

A total of 20 survey lanes were completed on 12 14 July using both magnetic and acoustic
remote sensing equipment. The 19 different survey lanes, which were run north and south along
"Itudinal readings, provided 150 foot spacing intervals between lanes. A total of nine major
targets; five woustic, two magnetic and two acoustic- magnetic, were identified with the remote
sensing equipment. Dive investigations were attempted at three of the targets; two of which, b I and

1:;kl, T,

vi
15
14o 0

42
8a
10 13

5o
12

Survey Area
48-

Figure 6

Target Analysis 46

M, turned out to be submerged vessels. While neither of the two identified vessels were
considered historically significant, divers did record structural information while documenting the

sites.

Following is a list of the identified remote sensing targets in Section B.

Number Position Type, Dived On Location/Description
b 1 420810 sonar, yes in In. I and 16; the target was found 15-25
800743 meters out on the port channel. Three separate
objects were recorded; one is rectangular with
good relief and two are irregularly shaped with
low relief. Divers recorded an inverted wooden
barge/working platform that had an attached
towing bridal. A section of chain was extending
fromthebarge. In the direct vicinity of the barge
two trees were also located by divers.

b2 420811 sonar. no In In. 2; the target was located 17 meters out on
800756 the port channel in shallow water near shore. The
target was rectangular in shape, approximately 3
meters by 5 meters in size.

b3 420830 mag-sonar, yes in In. 2; the target had a 8 gamma negative,
800750 monopolar signature which extended over 9
pulses. The sonar record indicated a large, 15
meter by 15 meter, depression, approximately I
meter deep, that was located directly beneath the
sensor. Divers found a hard send bottom in the
depression, that was surrounded by soft mud. No
magnetic material was discovere(I

b4 420738 mag-sonar, no in In. 6 ; the target had a 28 gamma positive,
800747 monopolar signature which extended over 4
pulses. Sonar records indicated a small scatter of
material, located 7 meters out on ft starboard
channel. The hard return had no relief

bS 420807 sonar, no in In. 6; the target was detected 25 meters out on
800737 the port channel. The sonar return indicates the
presence of a narrow object, 7 meters long with
little off a hard bottom.

b6 420838 sonar, yes in In. 7; the target was located 20 meters out on
800732 the port channel. The sonar return indicates a
rectangular object, approximately 5 meters tyy 8

Target Analysis 47

4@2

@7R

k
Od N.,
ON

ffln,

Sonar Target B-6

Figure 7

Target Analysis 48

meters, that has good relief off the bottom, (see
fig 7). Divers located a wooden hulled barge that
was lying right side up an the bottom. Two small
anchors iated with the barge were found in
the vicinity. The barge appears to be a platform
for some type of hum boat.

V 420801 mag,no in In. 9; the target had a 15 gamma positive,
800731 monopolar signature which extended over 4
pulses.

b8 420838 mag, no in In. 16; the target had a 27 gamma dipolar
800740 signature which extended over a 4 pulse duration.

b9 420840 sonar, no in In. 14; the target was a large scatter of items
30 to 40 meters out on ft port channel. There
were several, large irregularly shaped features
located in an area approximately 20 meters by 15
meters.

Section D

Section D bordered on Section B to the west and was marked on the east by two plotted points,
corners 08 and 09, that made the area approximately 3,000 feet wide (see fig 8). The eastern
side of the survey area was roughly in line with the corner of Erie Builders Concrete CDmpanys
pier to the south and the entrance to the Presque Isle State Park Marina to the north. Survey
corners, 07 (used in Section B), 06a, at 42 08 40, 80 07 25. 08. at 42 08 40. 80 06 40 and
09, fit 42 07 53. 80 06 42, were plotted to create the rectangular survey. The designated arm
was approximately 6,000 feet long on the west side and over 6,500 feet long on the east side.
Shallow water along the Erie waterfront between corner 07 and the United Refining Company's pier
prevented any surveying closer than 400 feet from the Erie shoreline

A total of 20 survey ]am were completed on 14, 15 July using both magnetic and acoustic
remote sensing equipment. The 20 different survey lanes, which were run north and south along
longitude read! ngs, prov Ided 150 foot spaci ng intervals between lanes. One feature of the survey
area that effected remote sensing readings was the presence of a submerged intake pipe from the
Erie Waterworks Pumping Station. A total of 13 remote sensing targets were identified during the
survey; six magnetic, four acoustic and three magnetic- acoustic. While several of the targets may

114

:Nib

15
14*
8 a

6 a

50
012

Survey Area

42 Of'

Figure 8
solos. 9.1". so kt

Target Analysis so

be dismissed as modern debris, the remains of three vessels, a wooden hulled screw steamer, a
work launch and a relatively modern speedboat, were identified in Section D. In addition to these
sites, the remains of a timber crib, thought to be associated with the original water intake system
for the town of Erie, was located in this survey area. Divers were able to document the structural
remains of all but one of these sites. Locational and diagnostic information, but no structural
Information, was compiled on the speedboat wreck.

Following is a list of the remote sensing targets in Section D.

NuMber Position TyRC- Dived On Location/Description
dl 420817 sonar, yes in In. 1 ; the target was detected 10 meters out on
800642 the port channel. The sonar return indicated a
crescent shaped object, approximately 5 meters
by 2 meters, that exhibited a limited amount of
relief. Divers at the target discovered the
remains of speedboat that I ikely dates to the
1950's. The vessel, which burned, had a sharp
V-hull, likely made of mah@ogeny, and was lightly
built. Portions of the engine, prop, shaft, exhaust
pipe are a] I evident within the approximately 30
foot long wreck site.

d2 420850 mag, no in In. 2; the target had a 38 gamma dipolar
800645 signature which extended over 10 pulses.

0 420807 sonar, no in In. 5; the target was located 40 meters out on
800649 the port channel. The sonar return indicates a
potential scatter of debris with low relief. An
attempt was made to relocate the target but no
contact was made.

d4 420841 mag, no in In. 5; the target had a 46 gamma positive,
800650 monopolar signature which extended over 14
pulses.

d5 420839 sonar, no in In 7; the target was found 30 out on the port
800655 channel and the sonar return indicates a 7 by 8
meter object that had limited relief. An attempt
was made to relocate the target, but no contact was
made.

d6 420845 mag, no in In. 8; the target had a 60 gamma dipolar
800657 signature which extended over I I pulses.

Target Analysis 51

V 42 07 49 sonar, yes in In. 8, 9; the target was originally found 35
800654 meters out on the port channel, next to the United
Refining Company pier. The sonar return
indicated an elongated object, approximately 25
meters long, that had good relief. Divers
identified the target as the remains of a wooden
hulled, propeller steamboat. The site, 96 feet
long, had a pronounced list to the port side. Only
the starboard side of the hull is exposed, as the
port side of the hul I has either been destroyed or
it has deteriorated to the point where no frames or
planking are exposed above the bottom. Much of
the steam machinery, the propeller and the
rudder we all evident

d8 420839 sonar, no in In. 9; the target was detected 45 meters out on
800653 the starboard channel. The return indicated a
rectangular object which was approximately 5
meters by 9 meters with a low relief.

d9 420850 mag, no in In. 9; the target had a 55 gamma positive,
800701 monopolar signature which extended over 9
pulses.

d1O 420849 mag, no in In. 11 ; the target had a 32 gamma positive,
800704 monopolar signature which extended over a 7
pulse duration.

d1l 420826 mag-sonar, yes in In. 14; the target had 90 gamma dipolar
800710 signature which extended over a 7 pulse duration.
An excellent sonar return (see fig. 9) was located
10 meters out on the port channel and it indicated
irregularly shaped object, approximately 10
meters by seven meters, which had good relief.
Divers at the target location discovered the
remains of a wooden hulled mechanized
launch-type workboat. The site was slightly
longer than 50 feet and it had apparently burned.

d12 420847 mag, no in In. 15; the target had a 30 gamma positive,
800716 monopolar signature which extended over a 9
pulse duration.

d13 420841 mag-sonar, yes in Ins. 18, 2; the target had an 82 gamma positive
800722 monopoler signature which extended over 12
pulses. The magnetic signature was partially

Target Analysis 52

. @@ U-M

@7v N,
N'.
@Z.

... . ... ..

iRg@@
A

W
ME,

"oz@ft

- dW

Sonar Target uff,*- I I

Figure 9

Target Analysis 63

MI,

I TV,

Sonar Target D- 13

Figure 10

Target Analysis 54

masked by the presence of a pipeline that crosses
Presque Isle Bay. Sonar records indicated a large
square object located approximately 25 meters
out on the starboard channel (see fig. 10). The
object was approximately 15 meters by 15
meters with very good relief off the bottom.
Divers identified the target as a timber crib that
.was possibly iated with a water intake
system for the town of Erie. The octagonal
structure was primarily built with oak timbers
and has been stabilized by the placement of a
large pile of rocks and boulders around the
perimeter of the crib.

Section E

Section E bordered on Section D to the west and was marked on the east by two plotted points,
corners 10 and 111, that made the area approximately 3,000 feet wide (see fig I I). The eastern
side of Section E extended directly north from a point just west of the corner of the Erie
Waterworks Pumping Station. Survey corners, 09 (used in Section D), 08a, at 42 09 00, 80
06 40, 10, at 42 08 54, 80 06 00, wd I I , at 42 08 00, 80 06 00, were plotted to create the
rectangul ar survey area. The designated area was approximately 7,000 feet long an the west side
end 5,500 feet long on the east side. Shallow water along the Erie waterfront between the Lawrence
Erie Stone Company's pier and corner I I prevented any surveying closer then 800 feet from the
Erie shoreline. Grassy conditions and very shallow water along the southern shore of Presque Isle
Peninsula, just east of the entrance to the State Park Marine, prevented any surveying closer than
1,000 feet from the Presque Isle shoreline.

A total of 20 survey lanes were completed on 15, 16 July using both magnetic and acoustic
remote sensing equipment. The 20 different survey ]anes, which were run north and south along
longitude readings, provided 150 foot spacing intervals between lanes. A submerged intake pipe
from the Erie Waterworks Pumping Station was evident across the lower portion of the survey
area. A total of 6 remote sensing targets were identified during the survey; five magnetic and one
acoustic. However, no dives were attempted at these targets, as they were not considered to be
significant targets. Each of the targets was likely associated with some We of modern debris.

4; W

15
149
ot, 8 a
10
13

42 08'

3
Survey Area
4

Figure 11 *.Joe* soills, wo

Target Analysis 56

Followirvg is a list of the remote sensing targets in Section E.

Number Position Tyi)e- Dived On Location/Dewription
e 1 420815 sonar, no in In. I ; the target was found 30 meters out on the
800642 port channel; the return indicated a scatter of
debris, in an area approximately 7 meters by 9
meters, which was associated with a bottom scour.

e2 420839 mag, no in In. I ; the target had a 25 gamma positive,
80 0641 motiopolar signature which extended over 7
pulses.

e3 420801 mag, no in In. 3; the target had a 58 gamma dipolar
800638 signature which extended over 8 pulses.

e4 420821 mag, no in In. 12; the target had a 42 gamma positive
800614 monopolar signature which extended over 7
pulses.

e5 420862 mag, no in In. 14; the target had a 62 gamma positive,
800625 monopolar signature which extended over 9
pulses.

efi 420845 mag, no in In. 19; the target had a 15 gamma positive
800600 monopolar signature which extended over an 8
pulse duration.

Section F

Section F bordered on Section E to the west and was marked an the east by two plotted points,
corners 12 and 13 (see fig. 12). The area was approximately 2,300 feet wide at the southern arid
and 2,600 feet wide at the northern end. The eastern side of Section F extended northeast from the
end of the State Street Public Pier to corner 13, adjacent to harbor buoy R" 10" on the northern
edge of the entrance channel. Survey corners, 10 and I I (used in Section E), 12, at 42 08 23,
80 05 34, and 13, at 42 08 49, 80 05 36, were plotted to create the trapezoidal survey area,
which was approximately 5,000 feet long on the west side and 3,300 feet long on the east si& The
eastern portion of the plotted area overlapped with the &edged portions of ErWs harbor, which
were not included in this project. Thus, the survey was started on the western portion of the area,
Each succeeding lane was run slightly to the east of the preceding lane. Once sonar records indicated

man m
IN

15
14o 0
of 8a

,C 6

12/

42 Q14
Survey Area

42 Q1, 20

Figure 12

Target Analysis 68

that survey ]am were being completed over a dredged bottom, the survey was terminated in
Section F. The area surveyed was approximately 1,600 feet wide.

A total of 14 survey lanes were completed on 16, July using both magnetic and acoustic remote
sensing equipment The 14 different survey lanes, which were run north and south along longitude
readings, provided 114 foot spacing intervals between lanes. Sonar records indicated that at the
lower, or southern portion of the survey ares, the bottom had been dredged across the entire width
of the area. No targets were located at the southern end of the area. A total of 3 remote sensing
targets were identified during the survey; all were magnetic WVts. However, no dives were
attempted at these targets, as they were not considered to be significant targets. Each of the targets
was likely associated with some type of modern debris.

Following is a I ist of the remote sensing targets in Section F.

Number Position Type, Dived On Location/Description
fl 420845 mag, no in In. 9; the target had a 32 gamma dipolar
800546 signature which extended over I I pulses.

f2 420850 mag, no in In. 9; the target had a 72 gamma dipolar
800546 signature which extended over a 12 pulse
duration. The similar signatures and positions of
f I and f2 suggest that they are likely FiRsocieted
with the same target.

0 420835 mag, no in In. 10; the target had a 17 gamma negative,
800543 monopolar signature which extended over a 7
pulse duration.

Section 4)

Section 6 bordered on Section F to the south and the southern shore of Presque Isle Peninsula to
the north (see fig. 13). The western boundary of Section 0 was an extension of the border
separating Sections E and F (at longitude 80 06 00). The east border was established at the
western terminus of the Coast Guard breakwater. A fourth corner was plotted just south of the
Perry Monument and served as the northeastern boundary of Section 6. An area, approximately
900 feet wide and 4,800 feet long was pWted. Survey corners, 10 and 13 (used in Section F),

4P t0'

8a op
10 13

Survey Area
7

Figure 13 .7-

Target Analysis 60

14, at 42 09 10, 80 06 00, and 15, at 42 09 07, 80 04 58 were plotted to create the
rectangular survey area. Shallow water along the Presque Isle Peninsula shoreline prevented
survey lanes from being completed any closer then 400 feet from the shoreline.

A total of 10 survey lanes were completed on 17, July using only magnetic remote sensing
equipment. Shallow water prevented the use of acoustic remote sensing throughout this area. The
10 different survey lanes, which were run east wW west parallel to the Presque Isle shoreline,
provided 90 foot spacing intervals between lanes. A total of 2 magnetic remote sensing targets
were identified during the survey. However, no dives were attempted at these targets, as they were
not considered to be significant targets. Each of the targets was likely associated with some type of
modern debris.

Following is a)ist of the remote sensing targets in Section 0.

Number Position Type, Dived On Location/Description
91 420904 mag, no in In. 2; the target had a 14 gamma negative
800524 monopolar signature which extended ove, 6
pulses.

92 420910 mag, no in In. 4; the target had a 30 gamma dipolar
800517 signature which extended over 6 pulses.

A perimeter survey lane was completed around Presque Isle Bay on 17 July, using both magnetic
and acoustic remote seming equipment. The lane was run as close to the shoreline as water depth
would allow. At most portions of the bay, the lane was approximately 200 feet offshore. A high
level of magnetic disturbance - related to shoreline development, was detected along much of the
lane. No additional acoustic targets were identified during this lane.

Target Analysis 61

Two tributaries southwest of Presque Isle Peninsula, Walnut Creek and Elk Creek, were also
selected for a remote sensing investigation. Both prehistoric settlement activity and historic
shipping activity in the vicinity of Walnut Creek and Elk Creek justified the investigation of these
two arees. Local residents have informed researchers of several shipwreck sites in the vicinity of

these two inlets.

Walnut Creek

A magnetic remote sensing survey was completed adjacent to the mouth of Walnut Creek. The
work area was approximately five miles to the west of the base of Presque Isle Peninsula. Work
area corners 16 (the light at the mouth of the creek), at 42 04 40, 80 14 29, 17, at 42 04 24,
80 04 50, 18, at 42 04 24, 80 13 58, 19, at 42 04 0 7, 80 13 58 and 20, at 42 04 43, 80 14
59, were plotted to create an area approximately 5,000 feet long and 1,300 feet wide. A total 13
survey Is=, creating 100 foot spacing intervals between lanes, were completed on 19 July.

Magnetic data was used to gxwete a magnetic contour map (see fig. 14). Much of the survey
area was magnetically masked by ferrous material used to build groins. The groins, intended to
control shoreline erosion, were constructed perpendicular to the shoreline wW extended for some
distance offshore. There is also magnetic evidence that suggests an offshore submerged breakwater
has been constructed parallel to the shoreline, east of the entrance to Walnut Creek. All of this
activity has made it difficult to distinguish cultural resources using only magnetic remote sensing
equipment. However, one anomaly was recorded

Number Position Type, Dived On Location /Descr J ption
wc- 1 420449 mag, no in In. 4; the target had 38 gamma dipolar
801420 signature which extended over an I f pulse
duration.

Walnut Creek
Magnetic Contour Map

4eO5'

550 530
0 0

53Q_

56
30 580

590

560
WC-1

550 0
0

510

60 530
0
0
610

560

570

CD 0 500
Figure 14
Scale 'm feet

Target Analysis 63

Elk Creek

A magnetic remote sensing survey was completed adjacent to the mouth of Elk Creek. The work
area was approximately eight m i les to the west of the Walnut Creek and thirteen m i les west of the
base of Presque Isle Peninsula. Work area corners 2 1 (at the mouth of the creek), at 42 0136,
80 22 16, 22, at 42 0123, 80 23 00, 23, at 42 02 52, 80 2130, 24, at 42 02 11, 80 2130
and 25, at 42 01 44, 80 23 00, were plotted to create an area approximately 4,000 feet long and
1 000 feet wide. A total 10 survey lanes, creating 100 foot swing intervals between lanes, were
completed on 28 July.

Magnetic data used used to generate a magnetic contour map (see fig. 15). Similar to Walnut
Creek, much of the survey area was magnetically masked by ferrous material used to build groins.
The groins, intended to control shoreline erosion, were constructed perpendicular to the shoreline
and extended for some distance offshore. No magnetic targets were detected with signatures
suggestive of cultural material.

Elk Creek
N
Magnetic Contour Map

4r o2',

478

W478

440
5110

0 0 1000
*0

Fig- 15
Scale in feet

Site I nyestigations 66

SITE INVESTIGATIONS

Introduction

At the completion of the remote sensing portion of the Presque Isle Bay Underwater
Archaeology Survey, significant targets, identified as possessing magnetic and/or acoustic
signatures characteristic of cultural resources, were selected for further documentation and
evaluation. Each of the selected targets was relocated and divers systematically investigated the
target area to determine the material which generated the remote sensing anomaly. Where no
material was discovered on the bottom surface , divers used four foot probes to detect
sub-bottom items. A target analysis form was completed for each dive site. Information
recorded in the forms included; target number, dive site location, environmental conditions and
a description of al I encountered objects.

A total of 33 individual dives were performed in an effort to identify and assess twelve
selected target signatures (see fig. 16). Six of the targets were identified as modern debris;
miscellaneous items like cable, pipe, ladders, act. were found in ft bottom sediment. Further
examination and documentation, beyond a narrative description of the location, was not required
at these targets. However, five of the target sites were found to be vessel remains and one target
was a timber crib structure, associated with a water intake system for the city of Erie. In
addition to the standard information included on the dive form, a] I structural remains were
documented in situ. Date compiled on the structural remains was used to generate a detailed
site map.

Each of the dive sit locations has been listed Following the summary of the dives is a
description of each of the six identified submerged sites.

Dive Sites

A-4
Target was relocated on 18 July at. 42 07 27, 80 08 16. The target location was in 15 feet

..........

42 10'

mi-Y
B.v

Sw. P.1k
M.,mo

42 09'

D-13

cl:il

D-#

0-1

42 oa,

A
-4
A-i2 ri
Aj@ rn

rn L, I.J

42 07'

Presque Isle. Bay Targets

Figure 16 Solog, 60,08- 8007, 80 06,

Site Investigations 67

of water, with visibility less than 18 inches. Divers located a I inch diameter cable strewn
across the soft mud bottom.

A- 12
Target was relocated on 18 July at 42 07 22, 80 08 23. The target location was in 12 feet
of water with visibility less than 24 inches. A variety of modern debris was scattered over a
wide area. Much of the area had a soft mud sediment covering a denser mud/c)ay bottom. Items
discovered in the vicinity included wire, cable and a ladder which was protruding up off the
bottom at a 45 degree angle.

A- I I
Target was relocated on 21 July at 42 07 23, 80 08 34. The target location was in 10 feet
of water with visibility approximately 12 inches. Divers located 2 inch diameter cable with
adjoining cable clamps in a soft sediment bottom.

A- 12
Target was relocated on 21 July at 42 07 27, 80 08 47. The target location was in 12 feet
of water with visibility less than 24 inches. Divers confirmed the presence of a six foot square
concrete anchor and chain. The 1.5 foot thick concrete anchor had 1/2 inch chain coming off the
middle of the anchorand it extended into the soft mud bottom.

A- 15
Target was relocated on 21 July at 42 07 21, 80 08 49. The target location was in 15 feet
of water with approximately 12 inches of visibility. Divers confirmed the presence of a hard
packed sand ridge with an associated depression of soft sediment. This bottom feature caused the
unique sonar return.

B-1
Target was relocated on 21 July at 42 08 10, 80 07 43. The target location was in 15 feet
of water with approximately 24 inches of visibility. Divers confirmed the presence of two
barges attached side by side and the target was designated as a "site". Subsequent dives were
made at this location on 23 July. Further discussion of the diving activity at 5- 1 is included in

Site Investigations 68

the site listing.

0-3
Target was relocated on 22 July, at 42 08 30, 80 07 50. The target location was in 13 feet
of water with 36 inchesof visibility. Divers discovereda hard mid bottom surrounded by
deposits of soft mud. No ferrous material was detected in the area.

5-7
Target was relocated on 26 July, at 42 08 38, 80 07 32. The target location was in 22 feet
of water with visibility less then 18 inches. Divers confirmed the presence of a wood hull barge
and two small anchors at the location. The target was designated as a site and additional
documentation of the B-7 was completed on 27 July. Further discussion of diving activity is
included in the site listing.

D-I
Target was relocated on 23 July, at 42 08 17. 80 06 42. The target location was in 30 feet
of water with visibility of 6 inches with artificial light. Divers confirmed the presence of a
smal I, relatively modern speedboat- type of vessel and the location was designated as a site.
Further discussion of diving activity is included in the site listing.

D-7
Target was relocated on 22 July, at 42 07 49, 80 06 54. The target location was in 12 feet
of water, with visibility ranging from I to 4 feet. Divers confirmed the presence of a wood hull
screw steamer and the location was designated as a site. Additional dives were made at D- 7 on
24,25,27July. Further discussion of diving activity is included in the site listing.

D-11
Target was relocated on 22 July, at 42 08 26, 80 07 10. The target location was in 26 feet
of water with less then 6 inches of visibility. Divers confirmed the presence of a wood hull
mechanized work boat and the location was designated as a site. Additional dives were made at
D- I I on 23, 24 July. Further discussion of diving activity is included in the site listing.

Site Investigations 69

D- 13
Target was relocated on 22 July, at 42 08 22, 80 07 4 1. The target location was in 22 feet
of water with visibility approximately 30 inches. Divers confirmed the presence of a timber
crib and Figwrieted rock ballast piles and the location was designated as a site. Additional dives
were madeat D- 13 on 29July. Further discussion of diving activity is included in the site
listing.

Site Locations

B-1

Site Location: 42 08 10 N, 80 07 43 W.
Date(s) of Investigation: Three dives were performed on 21,23 July.
Bottom conditions: Soft mud over a firm sandy mud.
Depth: Fifteen feeL
Visibility: Thirty-six inches with artificial light.
Site A ment and Identification: The target was originally located with both magnetic
and acoustic data. Divers investigating the target location confirmed the remains of a 8 x 16
-foot wood hull floating work platform (see fig 17). The platform was actually constructed of
two 4 x 16 foot barge like vessels attached side by side. It was lying upside down on the
bottom and planks were missing from both ends of the platform. Other features , - - - - iated
with the site included an approximately 70 foot section of wire rope and a 10 foot section of
chain which passed through an unidentified 14 x 48 inch molded steel plate. Fasteners and
material iated with the site indicate it is of modern construction.

SI-T E B -1

Prof ile

I I.. t Ill I it, .111 1
P I IV

)AV"
ed. I, m
(,I 'd [it.

I f

0 1 2 3 4 5
Ll I I Plan
Feet

Figure 17

Site Investigations 71

B-6

Site Location: 42 08 38 N, 80 07 32 W.
Date(s) of Investigation: Two dives were performed on 26,27 July.
Bottom conditions: Light mud sediment over a firm sandy mud.
Depth: Twenty-two feet.
Visibility: Twelve inches with artificial light.
Site Assessment and Identification: The target was original ly located with aaxistic data.
Divers investigating the target location confirmed the remains of a 25 x 40 foot wood hull
barge (see fiq 18). It was lying right side up on the bottom. Other features iated with
the site included a 6 x 8 inch framework attached to the top of the barge. This framework
may have used as a foundation for a structure built on top of the barge - possibly a small
house. Fasteners and other material associated with the site indicate that the barge dates to
the early or mid 20th century.

0 1 2 3 4 5
Feet Prof ile

u
End Plan
SITE B-6 FigUre

Site Investigations 73

D- I

Site Location: 42 08 17 N, 80 06 42 W.
Date(s) of Investigation: Two dives were performed on 23 July.
Bottom conditions: Light mud sediment oyer a firm sandy mucL
Depth: Thirty feet.
VisibilitV: Three inches with artificial light.
Site Assessment and Identification: The target was originally located with acoustic data.
Divers investigating the target location confirmed the remains of an approximately 30 foot
wood hull (mahogany) vessel. Remains at the site indicate that the vessel burned and
possibly exploded before it sank. Features associated with the site include, a six cylinder
gasoline engine, various brass fixtures and a possible exhaust pipe. The vessel had a sharp
*Y" hull which was lightly constructed. Construction features and iated characteristics
indicate that the vessel was possibly a speedboat that was constructed in the mid 20th
century.

Site Investigations 74

D-7

Site Location: 42 07 49 N, 80 06 54 W.
Date( s) of Investigation: Nine dives were performed on 22, 24, 25, 27 July.
Bottom conditions: Light mud sediment.
Depth: Thirteen feet.
Visibility: Two to three feet.
Site Assessment and Identification: The target was originally identified on NOM
Chart 14835 and it was later located with acoustic data. Divers confirmed the remains of a
96 feet long wood hull screw steam vessel (see fig. 19). The vessel burned to the Water line
and now rests with an approximately 30 degree list to the port side. Features at the site
include, a rudder, a four bladed, square tipped iron propeller, a vertical osillating steam
cylinder engine (similar to the Keiebel Engine, popular in the late 19th century), boiler and
the drive and crank shafts. The vessel had a hull that was built with 4 x 4 inch double frames
and featured 2 x 6 inch carve] plank construction. The bow section was sheathed with iron.
The entire port side of the hull was buried in the mud and only the starboard side is exposed
A baseline was established from the tip of the stempost, to the aftermost portion of the
sternpost. From the baseline, all machinery was mapped in situ Each of the starboard
frames was measured according to its elevation and spacing. Furthermore, detailed sketches
were completed on the rudder, propeller and bow sections of the wreck. The machinery
present at the site and the hull type both suggest that the vessel dates to the second half of
the 19th century. An attempt has been made sketch how the vessel may have originally
appeared (see fig 20).

SITE D-7

Prof ile

0 5 10 is 20 26

t I I I I I

V
Foot

ox@

Plan

Figure 19

it
a FO@s

(adapted from Mitchell) 1890's Steam Yacht Figure 20

Site Investigations 77

D- I I

Site Location: 42 08 26 N, 80 07 10 W.
Date(s) of Investigation: Seven dives were performed on 22, 23, 24 July.
Bottom conditions: Light mud sediment over sand bottom.
Depth: Twenty-eight feet.
VisibilitV: Twelve inches with artificial light.
Site Assessment and Identification: The target was originally located with acoustic data.
Divers confirmed the presence of the remains of an approximately 50 foot long motorized
launch or work boat (see fig. 21 ). The vessel was constructed of lam inated frames with
approximately one inch thick caravel plank& The vessel had been stripped of all machinery
(the engine had been removed from the engine bad) and apparently scuttled in the middle of
the bay. Hull construction techniques and associated material with the site indicated that the
vessel dates to the middle of the 20th century.

m m1somm MOMMMIUM swumm onto m

SITE D-11

7
r
FL
..... ..... .

U-

Plan

fn n

!--------- -

0 5 10
I I FEETEI- Prof He
VIq i i 1-1
Feet Figure 21

Site Investigations 79

D- 13

Site Location: 42 08 41 N, 80 07 22 W.
Date( s) of Investigation: Two dives were performed on 22, 29 July.
Bottom conditions. Sandy bottom.
Depth: Twenty-two feet.
Visibility: Two to three feet.
Site Assmment and Identification: The target was originally located with acoustic data.
Divers confirmed the presence of a timber crib and associated rock ballast pile (see figL 22).
The timber crib is apparently associated with the first water intake system for the city of
Erie. Mr. Stan Prazer, Bureau Chief, Erie Bureau of Water, confirmed that this crib was
constructed in 1864 and that the water intake system was on line by 1865. The eight sided
crib (built of oak) was likely constructed on shore, floated out to the site and submerged.
Rocks anchoring the structure have been pilied around the perimeter of the structure. The
intake pipe for the water system was located in the center of the crib structure.

20.

SITE. D-13
IX Rock.Ballast

Prof ile

Fo-@

Plan

Feet

Figure 22

Summary 81

SUMMARY

The remote sensing reconnaissance portion of the fieldwork resulted in the Identification of
56 remote sensing targets; 32 magnetic anomalies, 17 acoustic anomalies and 7 magnetic-
acoustic anomalies. Of the 56 targets, 12 exhibited magnetic and/or acoustic signatures
characteristic of submerged cultural resources. A total of 33 individual dim were performed
in an effort to identify and assess the 12 designated targets. While several of the targets were
identified as modern debris, six targets were classified as "sites", and were the focus of more
extensive documentation efforts. A Pennsylvania Underwater Archaeological Site Form was
completed for each site and submitted to the Archaeology Section of the Pennsylvania State
Museum.

Five of the target sites were found to be vessel remains and one target, D- 13 was a rock
filled timber crib. The oak timber crib, constructed in 1864 , was associated with the first
water intake system for the city of Erie. Actually built on shore, the crib was floated out into
Presque Isle Bay and sunk into place. Rocks and boulders were placed around the perimeter of
the crib to anchor it. A water intake pipe was then placed within the crib. This site may provide
insights to the nineteenth century technology which produced the water works system for the
city of Erie.

One of the -sites, identified as D- 7, is deserving of further investigation. Located directly
adjacent to the United Refinery Company pier near the mouth of Cascade Greek. the site contains
the remains of a 96 foot wood hull screw-steam vessel which dates the second half of the
nineteenth century. The vessel sank with a pronounced list to its part side. As the wreck settled
on the bottom the port side of the hull became buried and now only the starboard portion of the
hull is exposed above the bottom surface. The rudder, propeller, propeller shaft, and much of
the steam machinery, including, the crankshaft, cylinder, boiler and stack, were all documented.
What makes this wreck site fascinating is the almost complete ensemble of steam machinery
within the hull. Features within the wreck site appear to be contemporary with vessels from
the 1880's. This type of vessel was popular on Lake Erie during the letter stages of the
nineteenth century and its prim" use was to ferry passengers on the lake.

Summary 82

The site should be considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. It
meets or exceeds the qualification requirements for evaluating historic vessels for the National
Register. The site would be considered under the classification of SHIPWRECKS, which would
include, "any vessel that has foundered, stranded, wrecked or been scuttled and no longer
survives as a floating entity. This includes vessels that exist as intact or scattered components
on or in the sea bed, river bed, mud flats, beaches or other shorelines, excepting hulks"
(National Reuister Bulletin, No. 2, 2-3).

Further site specific research would reveal the name of the vessel, the date and location of
its launching and some highlights from its active career. If conserved properly, parts of the
machinery would make an effective museum display on steam engine technology.

The remaining sites which were identified during the course of this survey, B- I , B-6,
D- I and D- I I are not considered historically significant and thus no further archaeological
investigation is warrented at those sites.

While researchers attemped to design a comprehensive project, the possibility exists that
potential sites may have gone undetected. Divers were limited to inspecting only the high
probability targets. Every effort was made during the analysis of the remote sensing date to
distinguish objects believed to be submerged cultural resources. There were also several
shallow water areas within Presque Isle Bay that were not surveyed during this project. Future
sites may eventually be identified at these locations.

The future for identifying, interpreting and protecting historically significant submerged
cultural resources in Lake Erie is dependent upon the participation and cooperation of
ayocational archaeologists, historians, sport diving enthusiasts and the general public. In an
attempt to generate a cooperative effort, a public meeting was held in the Erie City Council
Chambers on July 29 announcing the preliminary results of our survey. Individuals present at
the meeting related information about shipwreck sites throughout the Pennsylvania portion of
Lake Erie.

In summary, this inter-discip] i nary project was designed to document the historic
development of the Erie region and to identify submerged cultural resources at three locations

Summary 83

along the Pennsylvania portion of Lake Erie. A wide range of sites was encountered; barges,
work platforms, a speedboat, a timber crib, a work boat and a screw steam boat/ launch.
Individually, only the screw steam launch appears to warrant further investigation, but
collectively these resources will help researchers to better understand the role and various uses
of the port of Erie during the historic development of this portion of Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, information from this project contributes to the expanding data base on
submerged cultural resources in Lake Erie and throughout the state.

Bibliography 84

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