Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: Beaver

Vessel Type: Schooner

Years of Incident: 1771 and 1826

Locations:

•1771: 10 leagues below Sandusky, Lake Erie

•1826: 2-3 miles west of the harbor entrance near present-day Lorain, Ohio

Losses:

•1771: 15 lives

•1826: 17 lives

Vessel Type Description

The Beaver was a Schooner, a common vessel type during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Designed for speed and maneuverability, schooners like the Beaver were vital for transporting goods, passengers, and supplies across the Great Lakes. Their versatility made them integral to the fur trade and early settlement development in the region.

The 1771 Shipwreck

The first tragedy involving the Schooner Beaver occurred in July 1771, as reported in The Pennsylvania Chronicle. The vessel, built that year in Detroit by Richard Cornwall, was part of Commodore Grant’s fleet, serving in the burgeoning fur trade. Laden with peltry valued at £3,000 and a significant quantity of flour destined for Niagara, the Schooner set sail from Detroit on May 15, 1771.

While navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Erie, the Beaver struck rocks approximately 10 leagues below Sandusky. The disaster claimed the lives of Captain Jacobson, his crew, and 10 passengers, totaling 15 lives. Debris from the wreck, including a Barge and a small trunk of letters, washed ashore, serving as grim reminders of the catastrophe. This early tragedy highlighted the perilous nature of navigating the Great Lakes in wooden vessels, especially during an era of limited navigational aids.

The 1826 Shipwreck

The second recorded wreck of a Schooner named Beaver occurred in 1826, nearly 55 years after the first. Though details are sparse, this Beaver likely represented a separate vessel, as schooners were often Rebuilt, sold, or renamed during this period.

According to reports in the Cleveland Weekly Herald, the Schooner met its end 2-3 miles west of the harbor entrance near present-day Lorain, Ohio. This incident involved a significant loss of life, with 17 individuals perishing. The ship was carrying cargo and passengers, though specifics remain undocumented. This event reinforces the dangers faced by early Great Lakes mariners, even in the later years of Schooner use.

Final Dispositions

•1771 Shipwreck: The original Beaver Foundered on rocks below Sandusky. The wreckage, including a Barge and a trunk, washed ashore. The vessel was declared a Total Loss.

•1826 Shipwreck: The Schooner sank off Lorain, Ohio. No known salvage efforts or wreck remnants have been documented for this incident.

Historical Context and Significance

The Beaver’s shipwrecks represent significant moments in Lake Erie’s maritime history. The 1771 tragedy underscores the risks of early trade and exploration, as mariners ventured into uncharted waters with limited technology. The 1826 incident highlights the continued perils of Great Lakes navigation, even as regional trade and shipbuilding advanced.

Both events also illustrate the broader challenges of 18th and 19th-century maritime commerce, including unpredictable weather, insufficient charts, and the fragility of wooden vessels under duress.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No modern Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wrecks of the Beaver. However, both incidents serve as historical case studies, informing researchers and maritime archaeologists about the hazards of early Great Lakes navigation.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Historical Newspapers: Archival resources such as The Pennsylvania Chronicle (1771) and the Cleveland Weekly Herald (1826) provide original accounts.

Conclusion

The twin tragedies of the Schooner Beaver on Lake Erie—one in 1771 and another in 1826—stand as poignant reminders of the dangers faced by early mariners. Whether the same vessel or two separate ships sharing a name, these incidents underline the harsh realities of navigating the Great Lakes in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Together, they contribute to the rich tapestry of the region’s maritime history, offering insights into the challenges of trade, exploration, and survival during these formative years.

Keywords

Beaver Schooner, Lake Erie shipwrecks, 1771 maritime disaster, 1826 Lake Erie tragedy, Great Lakes maritime history, Sandusky wrecks, Lorain shipwrecks.