Shipwreck Report: Schooner POWHATTAN

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: POWHATTAN
• • Type: Grain Schooner
• • Built: Likely mid-19th century (exact year unknown)
• • Dimensions: Estimated 100–120 feet in length
• • Operational Area: Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River
• • Final Location: Alexandria Bay, St. Lawrence River
• • Coordinates: Not specified
• • Depth: Not specified

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The POWHATTAN was a typical mid-19th century grain Schooner designed for transporting bulk agricultural commodities. These schooners were critical for the economic development of the Great Lakes region, connecting agricultural producers to urban markets and export destinations. The vessel’s design likely featured a wooden Hull with multiple masts, optimized for long voyages across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

HISTORY

• Operational Role:

The POWHATTAN was a vital link in the grain trade network, frequently transporting wheat and other grains from agricultural areas to ports like Ogdensburg, New York. The Schooner’s operational history reflects the importance of maritime transport in supporting the regional economy and sustaining urban populations.

• Economic Significance:

Grain schooners like the POWHATTAN were instrumental in facilitating trade and commerce in the 19th century, enabling the export of surplus grains to growing domestic and international markets.

FINAL VOYAGE & SINKING

• Date of Incident: October 20, 1873

• Cargo: Wheat

• Circumstances:

The POWHATTAN was en route to Ogdensburg when it encountered a severe gale that swept across the Great Lakes. Despite efforts by the crew to manage the storm, the Schooner was overwhelmed by the conditions. The vessel sank in Alexandria Bay, St. Lawrence River.

• Outcome:

The cargo of wheat was completely soaked, rendering it worthless. The financial loss from the incident was significant, and the sinking highlighted the risks faced by grain schooners navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

SIGNIFICANCE

The POWHATTAN is remembered as a symbol of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Its loss during the 1873 gale serves as a reminder of the hazards of early shipping and the resilience of those who worked these waters.

The sinking also emphasizes the economic dependency on Schooner transport at the time, with vessels like the POWHATTAN playing a pivotal role in sustaining trade and commerce.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes:

Explore historical records and details of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File:

Comprehensive shipwreck records from across the Great Lakes.

• Great Lakes Ships Database:

Detailed information on vessels and their operational history.

This report honors the legacy of the POWHATTAN and its contributions to the grain trade while acknowledging the risks and sacrifices of Great Lakes maritime navigation in the 19th century.