Identification & Site Information

• Name: ADIRONDACK
• Former Names: Also seen as ADIRONDAC
• Official Number: 1385
• Date Built and Launched: 1862
• Builder: John Oades, Clayton, New York
• Measurements:
• Length: 139 ft (42.37 m)
• Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m)
• Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 300 tons
• Net Tonnage: 285 tons
• Date Lost: September 14, 1893
• Place of Loss: South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden, three-masted Schooner.

Description

The ADIRONDACK was a robust, wooden Schooner constructed in 1862 in Clayton, New York, by shipbuilder John Oades. Measuring 139 feet in length, with a beam of 26 feet and a depth of 11 feet, the Schooner was built to handle the tough conditions of the Great Lakes while transporting bulk cargo. She was registered at 300 gross tons and 285 net tons, a substantial vessel for her time. The ship was primarily engaged in transporting goods like Bark, typical of many schooners operating out of Chicago during this period.

History

The ADIRONDACK spent over three decades navigating the often perilous waters of the Great Lakes, a vital conduit for the transport of raw materials and goods in the 19th century. Schooners like the ADIRONDACK were the workhorses of the Great Lakes, hauling everything from timber to agricultural products across vast stretches of water.

On September 14, 1893, while en route to Chicago carrying a load of Bark, the ADIRONDACK encountered a heavy fog and gale near South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. Struggling against worsening weather conditions, she became stranded. The crew managed to report the vessel’s predicament, and by September 20th, the Schooner had been stripped of valuable materials and officially Abandoned. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident.

Final Disposition

Stripped and Abandoned after grounding near South Manitou Island.

Located By & Date Found

Nil (No current data confirming the wreck’s precise discovery location).

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil (No navigational obstructions or maritime advisories currently issued for this site).

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ADIRONDACK Schooner, South Manitou Island shipwreck, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, 3-masted schooner, Great Lakes maritime history
• Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Great Lakes Vessels, Abandoned Schooners, Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Stranded: A vessel that has run aground and is unable to refloat without assistance.
  • Gross Tonnage: The total internal volume of a vessel, measured in tons.
  • Net Tonnage: The volume of cargo-carrying capacity of a vessel.

Conclusion

The ADIRONDACK is a representative of the hardworking schooners that dominated Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th century. Though her final voyage ended in stranding near South Manitou Island, her story is part of the rich maritime tapestry of Lake Michigan.