Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: ATLAS

•Type: Wooden Propeller Steamship

•Date of Incident: October 26, 1851

•Location: Near the mouth of the Grand River, Ohio (now Lorain), Lake Erie

•Coordinates: Approximately 8 miles west of Grand River, Ontario, Lake Erie

•Depth: Not specified

•Condition: Total Loss; vessel stranded and deemed irreparable

Vessel Type Description

The ATLAS was a wooden propeller Steamship, a technological advancement in the mid-19th century that replaced earlier Paddlewheel designs. Built in Buffalo, New York, in 1851, it was 153 feet long (46.6 meters), 25 feet wide (7.6 meters), and 11 feet deep (3.4 meters), with a Gross Tonnage of 375 tons. The propeller-driven design provided more efficient and reliable navigation, making it ideal for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes, where harsh weather and unpredictable conditions were common.

History

The ATLAS had a brief but eventful history:

•Construction and Launch: Built in Buffalo, New York, and launched on April 12, 1851, the ATLAS was commissioned to service growing trade routes on the Great Lakes, connecting Detroit, Michigan, to Ogdensburg, New York, via the Welland Canal. Under the command of Captain Lewis W. Bancroft, it operated out of Oswego, New York, transporting passengers and cargo.

•Cargo Role: On its final voyage, the ship was transporting flour, reflecting its dual purpose as a passenger and freight carrier.

Wreck Incident

On October 26, 1851, the ATLAS was caught in a fierce storm while traveling from Detroit to Buffalo. Near the mouth of the Grand River, Ohio, strong winds and heavy seas forced the vessel ashore, stranding it approximately 8 miles west of Grand River, Ontario.

Despite the severity of the storm, all crew and passengers survived, a testament to the crew’s skill and the ship’s design. However, the vessel itself was irreparably damaged and declared a Total Loss.

Salvage Efforts

Efforts were made to recover the valuable flour cargo:

•The steamers GREAT WESTERN and FOX were dispatched to the wreck site in November and December of 1851.

•Portions of the cargo were successfully salvaged, but the ship was Abandoned.

Final Disposition

The ATLAS was Abandoned near the shore and left to deteriorate. Its Hull and remaining materials gradually succumbed to the elements, leaving little trace of the vessel.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck of the ATLAS. Given its age and the lack of remaining structure, the wreck no longer poses a navigational hazard.

Located By & Discovery Date

The ATLAS wreck has not been thoroughly documented, and its exact location remains approximate, inferred from historical records. The coordinates provided are based on descriptions of the incident from 1851.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Keywords

•#ATLAS

•#Steamship

•#GreatLakesShipwreck

•#LakeErie

•#MaritimeHistory

•#19thCenturyShips

•#SteamPropeller

•#WreckOfTheATLAS

Conclusion

The wreck of the ATLAS highlights the treacherous nature of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. Its loss, only months after its launch, underscores the unpredictable weather conditions and challenges faced by early steamships. The efforts to salvage the cargo reflect the economic importance of the vessel, while its ultimate abandonment is a testament to the harsh realities of maritime life during that period. Although largely forgotten, the story of the ATLAS remains a part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie.