Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Columbia

•Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner

•Year Built: 1844

•Builder: James Pickering, Sackets Harbor, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 99 feet

•Beam: 20 feet

•Depth: 9 feet

•Tonnage: 165 tons

•Final Location: Near Harrisville, Michigan, Lake Huron

•Date of Loss: Fall of 1880

•Cause of Loss: Storm

Vessel Type Description

The Columbia was a two-masted wooden Schooner, purpose-built in 1844 for the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes. Designed for both freight and passenger transport, it was a robust vessel typical of its era, crafted to endure long voyages across the often challenging waters of the upper lakes. Schooners like the Columbia were vital to the economic and cultural development of the Great Lakes region during the mid-19th century.

History

The Columbia began its service on the Great Lakes with optimism and promise. Built by James Pickering at Sackets Harbor, NY, the Schooner was expected to thrive in the expanding passenger and freight trade of the upper lakes. However, the vessel’s story took a tragic turn during its inaugural voyage through the Welland Canal, which was essential for connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

Upon reaching Lock No. 8 of the Welland Canal, it was discovered that the Columbia was one inch too long to pass through the locks. This devastating news deeply affected Captain Pickering, the vessel’s builder and commander, leading him to tragically take his own life at the site. This marked the beginning of a series of misfortunes that would haunt the Columbia for the rest of its existence.

Despite this inauspicious start, the Schooner continued its career under new ownership and underwent several rebuilds, including a significant reconstruction in 1860 and a new Deck in 1871. These efforts were indicative of the importance of maintaining schooners like the Columbia, which were indispensable for the transport of goods and passengers during this time.

However, the Columbia’s luck never turned. By 1880, the vessel faced its final and most tragic challenge. While navigating Lake Huron near Harrisville, Michigan, the Columbia was caught in a fierce storm. The vessel was no match for the ferocity of the weather, and it succumbed to the storm’s power, ultimately wrecking and sinking in the lake. While details of its final voyage remain sparse, the loss of the Columbia added another chapter to its history of adversity.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: Fall of 1880

•Cause of Loss: Storm

•Location: Near Harrisville, Michigan, Lake Huron

The wreck of the Columbia was likely broken apart by the violent forces of the storm and scattered on the lakebed. There are no documented salvage efforts or modern discoveries associated with the vessel, leaving its exact location and condition unknown.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Status: No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Columbia.

•Advisory: Divers and mariners should approach the area near Harrisville with caution due to the historical nature of this shipwreck site.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Columbia has not been conclusively located or surveyed in modern times. The lack of precise coordinates or detailed documentation makes it a challenging site for potential discovery.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed accounts of schooners and other Great Lakes vessels.

•NOAA Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: Repository of underwater discoveries and shipwreck data.

•Great Lakes Historical Society: Archival material on shipwrecks and maritime history.

•Historical Newspapers: Contemporary reports of the Columbia’s final voyage and tragic loss.

Conclusion

The Schooner Columbia remains a tragic yet poignant figure in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history. From its inauspicious beginning with the Welland Canal miscalculation to its destruction in the storms of Lake Huron, the vessel’s story is emblematic of the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners. Its loss near Harrisville, Michigan, underscores the ever-present dangers of navigating the Great Lakes and serves as a sobering reminder of the resilience and sacrifices of those who sailed them.

Keywords

#ColumbiaSchooner

#GreatLakesShipwrecks

#LakeHuronWrecks

#19thCenturyMaritimeHistory

#WellandCanalTragedy

#HarrisvilleMichiganShipwreck

#WoodenSchooners

#GreatLakesHistory