Identification & Site Information
- Name: Torrent
- Official Number: None
- Type at Loss: Schooner, wood, 2-mast
- Builder: John E. Dixon, Newport, Michigan
- Date Built: 1855
- Specifications: Length: 125 feet (38.1 m) Beam: 30 feet (9.14 m) Depth: 11 feet (3.35 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 412 tons (372.8 m³)
- Overall Length: 137 feet (41.76 m)
- Date of Loss: October 30, 1863
- Place of Loss: 10 miles east of Port Stanley, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Cargo: Railroad Iron
- Owner at Loss: E.W. Bissell, Detroit
Vessel Type & Design
The Torrent was a 2-mast Schooner of wooden construction, built by John E. Dixon in 1855 at Newport, Michigan. The vessel was primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, such as Railroad Iron, across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Torrent were ideal for this type of cargo, given their large holds and the ability to navigate efficiently in the varied conditions of the Lakes.
Final Voyage & Loss
On October 30, 1863, the Torrent was bound from Buffalo to Little Bay de Noc (Green Bay) with a cargo of Railroad Iron. During the voyage, the vessel was caught in a violent storm while navigating on Lake Erie. The Schooner Foundered approximately 10 miles east of Port Stanley, Ontario in 60 feet (18.29 m) of water. Despite the severity of the storm, there were no casualties, and the entire crew survived. The ship was owned by E.W. Bissell of Detroit, and the cargo it carried was a valuable commodity at the time.
Final Disposition & Recovery
The Torrent sank to the bottom of Lake Erie, where it was lost to the waves. While the wreck’s exact final resting place has not been the subject of significant exploration, it is reported to be in 60 feet (18.29 m) of water, which may be accessible to divers under favorable conditions. The wreck’s location near Port Stanley places it within the broader maritime context of the Lake Erie shipping lanes, an area known for frequent storm activity.
NOTMARs & Advisories
Port Stanley and its surrounding waters can be treacherous, particularly during autumn months when storms are most prevalent. Navigating these waters requires caution, especially for vessels carrying heavy or unbalanced cargo. Lake Erie is notorious for rapidly changing weather patterns, and vessels such as the Torrent are prone to encountering sudden squalls and storm systems, which can quickly lead to foundering.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Schooner Torrent was a wooden, 2-mast vessel that Foundered during a storm on October 30, 1863, in Lake Erie. Although the ship was completely lost, no lives were lost, and the cargo of Railroad Iron was likely ruined. The wreck of the Torrent remains an example of the many hazards faced by 19th-century Great Lakes vessels navigating the often-turbulent waters of Lake Erie.
Keywords & Categories
Keywords: Schooner wrecks, Lake Erie shipwrecks, 1863 Great Lakes storm, 19th-century cargo vessels, railroad iron transport
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Storm-induced shipwrecks, 19th-century schooners, Great Lakes shipping history
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Storm Loss, Foundering, Lake Erie
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