Success
Barquentine · United States · Lost 1946 · The Lake Erie Islands
A onetime British penal transport turned floating museum, burned and grounded off Port Clinton on Independence Day, 1946.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Success began her long life in 1840 at Moulmein, Burma, and over more than a century served as an armed merchantman, immigrant ship, prison hulk, ammunition store, freighter, and finally a museum and exhibition vessel touring the Great Lakes. On July 4, 1946, while owned by Walter Kolbe of Port Clinton, Ohio, she caught fire and was lost close inshore on Lake Erie. Her remains lie in about 15 feet of water, and artifacts from her are preserved at two Ohio museums.
Vessel
- 1840
- Not established
- Moulmein, Burma (British-built)
- Wood
- 135 ft
- 30 ft
- 621
- Sail
- Walter Kolbe, Port Clinton, Ohio
Loss
- July 4, 1946
- Fire
- Off Port Clinton, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Lake Erie
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 15 ft
- Keel and ribs rise about 8 feet off the bottom; deadeye and other fittings recovered
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 41.522° N 82.912° W
- Surveyed position
- Port Clinton, Ohio
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (70/100)
Some popular accounts of her earlier career, including claimed penal service, have been noted by historians as embellished or partly fictionalized over the years.
eriewrecks.com, Prison Ship Success
Build origin, dimensions, ownership, loss date and cause, wreck condition, and artifact locations.
