Shipwrecks of Lake Erie: Tragedy in the Quadrangle

by David Frew

As the shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is prone to sudden waves and wildly shifting sandbars. The steamer Atlantic succumbed to these conditions when, in 1852, a late night collision brought 68 of its weary immigrant passengers to watery graves. The 1916 Black Friday Storm sank four ships — including the "unsinkable" James B. Colgate — in the course of its 20-hour tantrum over the lake. In 1954, a difficult fishing season sent the Richard R into troubled waters in the hopes of catching a few more fish. One of the lake's sudden storms drowned the boat and three man crew. At just 50 miles wide and 200 miles long, Lake Erie has claimed more ships per square mile than any other body of freshwater. Author David Frew dives deep to discover the mysteries of some of Lake Erie's most notorious wrecks.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2014

Reviews

[Richard Knobloch]

A mystery and thriller, loved it.

Being born and raised in Erie in the 70's and 80's I found myself instantly attracted to this book and subject. I was not disappointed! David Free is an excellent author and a master story teller. I spent countless hours in the public docks and Presque State Park as a teenager and was always fascinated and even some what cautious of those choppy waters. Thanks for the memories Mr. Frew!

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing what gems you can find on the $5 clearance rack at Giant Eagle. The story of the ship loaded with nitro glycerin sailing into the gales of November was particularly thrilling. I couldn't help but think of the Gordon Lightfoot song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" while reading this.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about some of the shipwrecks of Lake Erie. Makes a person want to delve into more books about shipwrecks.

[Jeffrey Cozzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

David is one of my favorite authors.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at a number of shipwrecks between the US and Canada in the middle portion of Lake Erie. Most of these are in the area between Long Point and Presque Isle.