Identification & Site Information

• Name: Bolivar
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Date Built: 1825
• Location of Build: Erie, Pennsylvania
• Dimensions: Length: 68 feet (20.7 m) Beam: 17 feet 4 inches (5.3 m) Depth: 5 feet 8 ½ inches (1.7 m)
• Tonnage: 60 tons
• Final Location: Near Presqu’ile, Canadian side, Lake Ontario
• Date of Wreck: November 1839

Vessel Type Description

The Bolivar was a wooden Schooner equipped with two masts, designed for freight transport across the Great Lakes. Typical of the period, it was constructed from timber, which allowed for a balance of durability and ease of repair. The Bolivar’s modest size and 60-ton capacity made it an efficient workhorse for carrying various goods, notably salt.

History

The Bolivar launched in 1825, serving the vital Great Lakes trade routes. Over its operational life, it changed ownership multiple times, including several prominent merchants and shipping figures, Sheldon Thompson and George Miles Jr. The Schooner played a crucial role in transporting essential goods, including salt, which was a primary cargo in its final voyage.

On its ill-fated journey in November 1839, the Bolivar departed Oswego, New York, headed for Lake Erie. A fierce storm struck as the vessel crossed Lake Ontario, forcing it aground near Presqu’ile on the Canadian side. Despite the crew’s rescue by a passing Canadian Steamboat and other towing efforts, the Bolivar was never repaired. Its last registration in May 1839, in Cleveland, Ohio, suggests that it ceased operations after the incident.

Final Disposition

The Bolivar was grounded near Presqu’ile during a November storm in 1839 and later towed into Presque Isle. The damage rendered it beyond salvage, and no records show its return to service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No known remnants of the Bolivar have been extensively documented. While its grounding site near Presqu’ile is of historical interest, the current condition of any remains is uncertain.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University’s Great Lakes Vessels Database
• Great Lakes Ships Database

Suggested Keywords Bolivar, Schooner, Erie Pennsylvania, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Presqu’ile, 1839 storm, salt cargo, maritime history, Great Lakes.