SHIPWRECK REPORT: PADDLE WHEEL Steamer AMERICA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: America
• Type: Paddle Wheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1847
• Builder: Unknown (constructed in Port Huron, Michigan)
• Specifications: Tonnage: 1083 tons Propulsion: Side Paddle Wheels
• Material: Wooden Hull
• Location: North end of Pelee Island, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: 41° 49.675’ N, 82° 38.066’ W
• Depth at Wreck Site: 15 feet (5 meters)
• Date of Loss: April 5, 1854

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The America was a grand paddle wheel Steamer of its time, built to carry passengers and freight across the Great Lakes. With a wooden Hull and side paddle wheels, it represented the pinnacle of mid-19th-century maritime engineering. Originally serving routes between Buffalo, Sandusky, and Chicago, the vessel was later reduced to a freight carrier before its final voyage.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Career

Built in 1847 in Port Huron, Michigan, the America was initially celebrated as one of the largest and most elegant vessels on the Great Lakes. It featured spacious cabins and advanced design features, making it a popular choice for passenger transport.

Service and Incidents

The America was enrolled in Buffalo in 1848 and operated on the Buffalo-Sandusky route. Over its career, the vessel experienced numerous incidents:

• 1848: Ran aground near Mamajuda, Detroit.
• 1849: Extended service to Chicago; broke a shaft requiring repairs in Cleveland.
• 1850: A steam pipe burst on board, resulting in fatalities.
• 1854 (January): Ran aground and was scuttled in Dunkirk Harbour but was raised and repaired.

Final Voyage

On April 5, 1854, while navigating near Pelee Island, Lake Erie, the America ran aground on a rock bottom about 100 rods from the light at the island’s north end. The vessel had deviated approximately half a mile off course due to a misjudgment by the second mate, who altered the ship’s direction southward. Before the captain could intervene, the Steamer struck the rocks.

The ship remained stable initially but was battered by a strong northeasterly wind on Friday night, causing irreparable damage. By Saturday morning, the vessel was filled with water, and the captain departed for Detroit. The crew was rescued by the Granite State, though the Cleveland found some crew members still aboard.

Subsequent efforts to salvage the engine and some furnishings were partially successful, but the vessel itself was declared a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The America was completely destroyed by gale-force winds shortly after grounding. Only fragments of the Hull remained visible by April 19, 1854, as reported by the Buffalo Daily Republic. Approximately 50 tons of engine components and some furniture were later salvaged.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently issued for the wreck site of the America. However, the shallow depth of 15 feet (5 meters) near the north end of Pelee Island may pose a hazard to small craft.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck was documented shortly after the incident in 1854, with coordinates known due to contemporary reports.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck lies in shallow water at 15 feet (5 meters), making it accessible for recreational divers. Given the time elapsed since its sinking, the wooden structure of the vessel has likely deteriorated significantly. Some machinery and Hull fragments may remain scattered on the lakebed.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships
• Google Maps – Chicago Dunkirk
• Wikipedia – Pelee Island Point Pelee

KEYWORDS

America Paddle Wheel Steamer Lake Erie Shipwreck Point Pelee Maritime History 19th-Century Navigation

CONCLUSION

The America, once a symbol of maritime luxury and engineering, met a tragic and dramatic end on April 5, 1854, off Pelee Island. While no lives were lost, the wreck highlighted the dangers of navigation on the Great Lakes, even for experienced crews. Today, the wreck site serves as a historical point of interest, preserving the legacy of a vessel that was once a giant of the lakes.