Shotline Diving - The Great Lakes GotoMonticello (1848)

Monticello (1848)

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Identification & Site Information

Name: Monticello
Former Names: None
Year Built and Launched: 1848 (launched October 1847)
Builder: L.D. Custin, Fairport, Ohio
Vessel Type: Propeller Steamer (misleadingly noted as sidewheel in some sources; propulsion confirms screw propeller)
Hull Material: Wood
Number of Decks: 2
Hull Features: Overhanging guards
Measurements:
Length: 151 ft 9 in (46.3 m)
Beam: 20 ft 4 in (6.2 m)
Depth: 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m)
Tonnage (old style): 364 8/95 tons
Capacity: 3,600 barrels
Propulsion: Screw Propeller
Engines: Two 18 x 34 in. cylinders by J.D. Sheppard & Co., Buffalo, NY
Notes: Engines were later salvaged and installed in the Mineral Rock in 1851
Original Owner: Col. D. Russell, Painesville, Ohio
Ownership Notes: Later owned by Geauga Iron Co., multiple ownership changes from 1850-1851
Date Lost: September 26, 1851
Place of Loss: 25 miles below Eagle River, Lake Superior
Type of Loss: Stranded and wrecked
Final Cargo: Passengers, copper, and fish
Loss of Life: Not specified
GPS Coordinates: N 47° 13′ 30″ W 88° 40′ 20″

Vessel Type:
Wooden screw Propeller Steamer designed for mixed passenger and cargo service, including the transport of bulk materials like copper and fish, as well as general freight.

Description:
The Monticello was a wooden-hulled, screw-propelled Steamer built in 1848 at Fairport, Ohio by L.D. Custin. At 151 feet 9 inches (46.3 m) in length, with a beam of 20 feet 4 inches (6.2 m) and a depth of 10 feet 2 inches (3.1 m), she was a moderately sized Steamer typical of the mid-19th century Great Lakes fleet. The vessel featured overhanging guards—a common design to protect the Hull in crowded docks and during towing or cargo handling.

Powered by two 18 x 34-inch engines manufactured by J.D. Sheppard & Co. of Buffalo, New York, the Monticello had a significant carrying capacity of 3,600 barrels, making her well-suited for both passenger service and freight, particularly in the emerging copper trade on Lake Superior.

History:
The Monticello had an eventful but short-lived career, reflecting the risks and rapid growth of maritime commerce in the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.

1848: Enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, she began service on the Buffalo, NY – Chicago, IL route.
1849: Operated under the Merchants & Millers Line, contributing to the bustling commercial routes across the lakes.
1850: Ownership passed to Geauga Insurance Co. on February 24, with P.P. Sanford of Painesville, Ohio as agent.
October 3, 1850: Collided with and sank the Schooner Northwestern off Pointe aux Barques, Lake Huron.
November 22, 1850: Involved in another collision, sinking a Brig off Erie, Pennsylvania.
1851: Ownership transferred to Sheldon McKnight of Detroit on April 8. The vessel was portaged at Sault Ste. Marie into Lake Superior on May 15, marking her foray into the upper lakes’ challenging waters.
August 4, 1851: Collided with and sank the Steamer Manhattan near Whitefish Point, Lake Superior.

Despite her utility in the copper trade and passenger transport, these repeated incidents hinted at operational challenges and perhaps navigational or structural vulnerabilities.

Final Voyage and Loss:
On September 26, 1851, while en route from Ontonagon to Sault Ste. Marie, the Monticello stranded 25 miles below Eagle River on Lake Superior. The vessel began sinking shortly after stranding and was subsequently wrecked. Although specific details regarding the circumstances of the wreck are sparse, it is known that the engines were salvaged and later installed in the vessel Mineral Rock.

Final Disposition:
The Monticello was declared a Total Loss following her wreck in 1851, but significant parts, including her machinery, were salvaged for reuse.

Located By & Date Found:
No recent documentation indicates the wreck has been definitively located beyond the original GPS coordinates.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No specific navigational warnings related to the Monticello exist today, but mariners should remain aware of historical wreck sites when navigating Lake Superior‘s treacherous waters, particularly near Eagle River.

Resources & Links:

Conclusion

The Monticello‘s short but tumultuous career reflects the growing pains of Great Lakes maritime commerce in the mid-19th century. From pioneering commercial routes to becoming involved in multiple collisions, the vessel’s story highlights both the opportunities and dangers of navigating the inland seas. Her final wreck in 1851 marked the end of a brief but impactful service life, with her salvaged engines finding new life in another vessel—a common practice in the era of wooden steamers.

Keywords: Propeller Steamer, Lake Superior, Eagle River, Copper Trade, Maritime Collisions, Great Lakes Shipwreck
Categories: Great Lakes Steamships, Lake Superior Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime History
Glossary Terms: Screw Propeller, Overhanging Guards, Portaging, Engine Salvage, Barrel Capacity