Identification & Site Information:

• Vessel Name: ADA (Possibly also referred to as ADDA)
• Other Names: Unknown
• Official Number: Unknown
• Type at Loss: Schooner, Wood
• Year Built: 1857 (possibly built by E.L. Herrick, Fairport, Ohio)
• Builder: E.L. Herrick (tentative)
• Build Location: Fairport, Ohio
• Specifications: Length: 88 ft (26.8 m) Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Tonnage: 110 tons

Vessel Type Description:

The ADA was a modest-sized wooden Schooner, typical of mid-19th century vessels that served on the Great Lakes. Schooners like ADA were vital to the movement of bulk goods such as timber, grain, coal, and other commodities between rapidly growing towns along the shores of the lakes. Their shallow drafts made them especially suitable for accessing smaller harbors and rivers, crucial for local economies.

History:

While the exact details of ADA’s service history remain incomplete, the vessel likely played a role in the bustling maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the late 1850s. Fairport, Ohio, where she was possibly built, was an important port town known for producing sturdy wooden schooners that were widely used throughout Lakes Erie and Huron.

Final Voyage & Disposition:

In 1859, just two years after being launched, the ADA met her end near Collingwood, Ontario, on Lake Huron. Details of the incident are scarce, but it is recorded that the Schooner sank within sight of Collingwood. This suggests the possibility of a sudden storm or structural failure that prevented the vessel from reaching safe harbor.

Unfortunately, information regarding loss of life, the cargo she was carrying, or the specific circumstances leading to her sinking remains unknown. It is also unclear whether any salvage efforts were made following her loss.

Final Location:

• Place of Loss: Near Collingwood, Ontario, Lake Huron
• Date of Loss: 1859
• Type of Loss: Sank

Located By & Date Found:

Located By: No documentation of discovery has been recorded.

Date Found: The wreck of the ADA has not been identified or located to date.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories:

NOTMARs: No current notices issued regarding the ADA.

Advisories: Mariners in the vicinity of Collingwood, Ontario, should remain aware of potential underwater obstructions from unidentified wrecks in the area.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion:

The Schooner ADA represents one of many lesser-known vessels that were lost during the early days of Great Lakes maritime commerce. Though her service was brief, vessels like ADA were the backbone of regional trade, supporting the economic development of ports such as Collingwood, Ontario, and Fairport, Ohio. While much about her final voyage remains a mystery, continued research and exploration may yet uncover her story, adding to the rich maritime history of Lake Huron.

Keywords: ADA Schooner, Collingwood shipwrecks, Lake Huron maritime history, Fairport Ohio shipbuilding, E.L. Herrick Schooner builder, Great Lakes Schooner losses, 1859 shipwrecks, Ontario maritime heritage, Great Lakes trade vessels, 19th-century Schooner shipwrecks.