Avon Lake in Lorain County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wreck Of The Craftsman
| | Our Great Lake | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026
1. Wreck Of The Craftsman Marker
Derrick Barge | Foundered June 3, 1958
Official Number: 221068
Coordinates: 41.31.938 N, 82.00.370 W | Depth 42 feet
Approximately one mile northeast of Avon Point
The Craftsman foundered in rough seas after completing work on a gas line in Huron, both crew were rescued by the coast guard as the craft went under.
Crew pictured above:
John Hendrickson (R) and Lester Young (L)
Fishermen frequent this wreck as fish are attracted to it, and a buoy marks its location.
Report from the Sandusky Register June 4th, 1958
Pair Rescued- Barge In Gas Line Work At Huron Sinks
CLEVELAND (UPI) - The Coast Guard rescued two suburban Parma men from drowning in Lake Erie Tuesday night when their barge sank about two miles east of Avon Point.
"We'd have gone down it the Coast Guard hadn't thrown that buoy to us," John Henderisckson, 32, said following the rescue. Hendrickson and Lester Young, 30, employees of the L. A. Wells Construction Co., were in an 88-foot derrick barge being towed by a tug to a pier. They had installed a gas line in Huron.
They fought for an hour to keep the scow afloat and jumped when it began sinking. They were rescued from 36 feet of water by the crew of a launch from the Lorain Coast Guard Station.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1958.
Location. 41° 30.831′ N, 82° 1.096′ W. Marker is in Avon Lake, Ohio, in Lorain County. It is at the intersection of Lake Road (U.S. 6) and Avon-Beldon Road (Ohio Route 83), on the right when traveling west on Lake Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32756 Lake Road, Avon Lake OH 44012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland, on the Lake Erie Shore, and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lake Erie (a few steps from this marker); Wreck Of The John Pridgeon, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Avon Lake High School World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); For Democracy WWI Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 105 Howitzer War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avon Lake.
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026
2. Wreck Of The Craftsman Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
