Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge ATLANTA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: ATLANTA
• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
• Builder: James Davidson
• Year Built: 1890
• Location Built: West Bay City, Michigan
• •Dimensions: Length: 172 feet (52.4 meters) Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters) Depth: 13 feet (4 meters)
• Tonnage: Gross: 599 tons Net: 570 tons
• Final Location: Lake Superior, 20 miles off Deer Park, Michigan
• Coordinates: Exact location classified (650 feet below surface)
• Date of Wreck: May 4, 1891

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ATLANTA was a wooden Schooner-Barge built to carry bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes. Designed to operate in tandem with steamers, the vessel relied on towlines for navigation, typical of the Schooner-Barge system prevalent in the late 19th century. Its robust construction and significant cargo capacity made it an integral part of the Great Lakes shipping industry, particularly for hauling coal and other heavy materials.

HISTORY

Operational Background

The ATLANTA was constructed in 1890 by the renowned shipbuilder James Davidson of West Bay City, Michigan. Known for producing high-quality wooden vessels, Davidson crafted the ATLANTA to handle the rigorous demands of Great Lakes commerce. The vessel was owned by a consortium comprising C. E. Eastman and H. W. Steele of Saginaw, Michigan, and Charles E. Jennison of Bay City, Michigan. Captain James L. Knowlton(d) served as the ship’s master, overseeing its operations during its brief but active service.

Final Voyage and Tragedy

On May 4, 1891, the ATLANTA was carrying a cargo of coal on Lake Superior while under tow by the Steamer S.S. WILHELM. The vessels encountered a severe storm that night, with violent winds and high waves. Approximately 20 miles off Deer Park, Michigan, the Towline broke, leaving the ATLANTA adrift. Despite efforts to manage the situation, the Schooner-Barge broke apart an hour later and sank into the icy waters of Lake Superior at around 3 a.m.

The crew of seven Abandoned ship in a lifeboat, but the treacherous conditions capsized the small vessel near the shore. Tragically, only two crew members survived the ordeal; the remaining five perished in the frigid waters. Their loss marked yet another reminder of the perils faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes during stormy weather.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Cause of Loss: Foundered during a storm after breaking free from tow
• Location: Approximately 20 miles off Deer Park, Michigan, Lake Superior
• Depth of Wreck: 650 feet (198 meters)
• Casualties: 5 out of 7 crew members lost
• Cargo: Coal (Total Loss)

The ATLANTA was presumed lost for over 130 years, its story largely relegated to historical accounts. However, its recent discovery by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has provided a detailed look at the wreck’s condition and renewed interest in its history.

RECENT DISCOVERY

In 2022, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced the discovery of the ATLANTA. Resting at a depth of 650 feet, the wreck is remarkably well-preserved due to the cold, oxygen-depleted waters of Lake Superior. Key features include:

• Visible Nameplate: The ship’s name, “ATLANTA,” is still legible in gold letters.
• Intact Structure: Much of the vessel, including its Hull, remains intact.

This discovery has deepened understanding of 19th-century shipbuilding and the risks endured by sailors on the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

The wreck is located in deep waters and is not marked by any specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs). It is part of an underwater preservation effort and is of significant historical and archaeological interest.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships
• Detroit Free Press on Discovery
• Maritime Executive
• The New York Times
• Big Rapids News

CONCLUSION

The ATLANTA’s sinking in 1891 reflects the harsh realities of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th century. Despite its advanced design and robust construction, the Schooner-Barge could not withstand the fury of Lake Superior’s storms. The loss of five crew members underscores the risks mariners faced, while the vessel’s recent discovery offers a unique window into the past, preserving a chapter of maritime history that continues to resonate with both historians and the public.

KEYWORDS

#ATLANTA #SchoonerBarge #LakeSuperior #GreatLakesShipwreck #JamesDavidson #MaritimeHistory #ShipwreckDiscovery #19thCenturyShipping #DeerParkMichigan