Shipwreck Report: Concord

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Concord

• Type: Brig

• Built: 1847 by J. Lum (W. S. Lyons), Black River, Ohio

• Dimensions:

• Length: 115 feet (35.1 meters)

• Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters)

• Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

• Tonnage: 194 tons

• Owner: H. N. Gates & Co., Cleveland, Ohio

• Final Voyage Date: November 16, 1869

• Final Disposition: Foundered in shallow waters on Lake Erie during a storm, resulting in the loss of five crew members.

Vessel Type Description

The Concord was a two-masted Brig, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Brigs like the Concord were primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, such as coal, across the region’s waterways. Known for their speed and maneuverability, brigs were workhorses of the maritime trade, though they were often vulnerable to the unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes.

History

• Construction & Early Service:

Launched in 1847 from Black River, Ohio, the Concord was built for H. N. Gates & Co. of Cleveland. With its wooden construction and two-masted design, it was ideally suited for hauling heavy cargo such as coal, lumber, and other goods vital to the region’s industrial growth.

• Final Voyage & Disaster:

On November 16, 1869, the Concord embarked on what would be its last journey. Laden with coal, the vessel was navigating Lake Erie when it encountered a fierce storm. Gale-force winds and towering waves drove the Brig into shallow waters, where it succumbed to the relentless onslaught of the tempest.

As the vessel Foundered, the crew was forced to cling to the rigging to avoid being swept away. For two harrowing days and nights, three crewmen held fast to the masthead, enduring the battering waves, freezing temperatures, and exhaustion. Tragically, their plight was shared by five other crew members who were unable to escape the sinking vessel.

On the second day, the propeller Bruno arrived at the scene and managed to rescue the three surviving crewmen, who were battered, frostbitten, and barely clinging to life. Despite these valiant efforts, the storm claimed the lives of the vessel’s captain, Capt. McPeel, and four crew members.

Final Disposition

The Concord was declared lost on November 16, 1869. The wreck rests in shallow waters on Lake Erie, though its exact coordinates remain undocumented. The storm that claimed the Brig also claimed the lives of five crew members, leaving a somber legacy in the history of Great Lakes navigation.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Concord. However, Lake Erie mariners are always advised to remain vigilant during adverse weather conditions, particularly in areas known for historical wrecks.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Concord has not been definitively located. Its final resting place is believed to be in shallow waters off Lake Erie, where it sank during the storm.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Concord’s condition remains unknown due to the lack of formal exploration or documentation of the wreck site. Given the era of its loss and the violence of its sinking, the remains are likely fragmented or buried beneath sediment.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Database

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The loss of the Brig Concord on November 16, 1869, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. The courage and resilience of the crew, along with the heroic efforts of the Bruno, stand as a testament to the human spirit’s endurance in the face of disaster. The Concord’s tragic fate and the loss of five lives echo through the annals of maritime history, offering a solemn tribute to the sacrifices of those who braved Lake Erie’s treacherous waters.

Keywords

#Concord #LakeErieShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #BrigSinking #MaritimeDisaster #CoalTransport #StormWreck #ShipwreckResilience