Identification & Site Information

• Name: American Republic
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built and Launched: 1854
• Builder: Erie, Pennsylvania
• Vessel Type: Wooden Bark, 3-Masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Tonnage: 460 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date Lost: December 2, 1859
• Place of Loss: North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm (stranding)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber

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Vessel Type & Description

The American Republic was a 3-masted wooden bark, constructed in 1854 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Barks were square-rigged on the fore and main masts and fore-and-aft rigged on the mizzen, making them versatile vessels for long-haul cargo transport. With a tonnage of 460 tons, the American Republic was a medium-sized cargo vessel ideal for hauling bulk materials such as lumber, a staple of Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century.

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History

The American Republic operated out of Erie, Pennsylvania, and was part of the flourishing lumber trade on the Great Lakes. Her routes would have included stops in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, transporting timber from the dense northern forests to the growing urban centers of the Midwest and East Coast.

Previous Incident (1856):

In November 1856, the American Republic drifted onto the Buffalo Breakwater during a gale and sustained serious damage. This incident highlights the vessel’s exposure to harsh weather conditions and the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes, even near established ports like Buffalo, New York.

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Final Voyage & Loss

In the fall of 1859, while carrying a load of lumber, the American Republic encountered a severe storm and stranded at North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.

Details of the Incident:

• After stranding, the vessel was left for the winter due to inaccessible conditions and the difficulty of mounting a recovery effort in the harsh winter months.
• In the spring of 1860, the Tug Leviathan undertook an extensive effort to free the stranded Bark. Despite over a month of attempts, the rescue efforts failed, and the vessel was ultimately Abandoned and stripped of any valuable materials.

Casualties:

• The loss of life is unknown, but given the nature of the stranding and the subsequent salvage efforts, it is possible that the crew survived the initial grounding.

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Final Disposition

The American Republic was Abandoned and stripped after multiple unsuccessful attempts to free her from North Manitou Island. The remains of the vessel were likely left to deteriorate on the shoreline, contributing to the region’s rich maritime archaeological landscape.

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Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the American Republic’s wreck. However, North Manitou Island is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area known for its numerous shipwrecks and maritime history. The wreck may still exist in a submerged or partially buried state along the island’s rugged shoreline.

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NOTMARs & Advisories

North Manitou Island and the surrounding Manitou Passage are known for treacherous currents and submerged hazards. Mariners navigating the area should consult updated nautical charts and remain vigilant, especially during stormy seasons.

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Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – NPS
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The American Republic‘s loss in 1859 near North Manitou Island highlights the challenges of navigating Lake Michigan’s treacherous waters, especially during the fall storm season. Built in 1854 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Bark served in the lumber trade, a critical industry for the burgeoning cities of the Midwest. Despite attempts to salvage the vessel in 1860, the American Republic was Abandoned and stripped, adding to the rich maritime history of the Manitou Passage. Her previous grounding in Buffalo in 1856 underscores the persistent risks faced by Great Lakes mariners, even in more sheltered waters.

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