Shipwreck Report: Schooner ATLANTIC

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: ATLANTIC

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Date of Incident: 1840

•Builder: Unknown

•Built: 1833, Cleveland, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 56 feet (17 meters)

•Beam: 18 feet (5.5 meters)

•Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)

•Tonnage: 48 tons

•Location: Approximately 6 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: Not available

•Depth: Unknown

•Condition: Wreck lost, specific details unavailable

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ATLANTIC was a small wooden Schooner, a type of vessel that formed the backbone of Great Lakes maritime trade during the early 19th century. Schooners were known for their versatility, maneuverability, and ability to carry a wide variety of cargo. Typically equipped with two or more masts and fore-and-aft rigging, schooners like the ATLANTIC were essential for the transportation of goods such as lumber, coal, and agricultural produce between emerging industrial centers on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Service Life

Launched in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1833, the ATLANTIC was part of a rapidly growing fleet of schooners that helped establish key trade routes across the Great Lakes. These vessels were critical for the development of frontier settlements, serving as reliable workhorses for carrying bulk goods to markets and raw materials to ports for further processing or shipment. During its operational years, the ATLANTIC played a vital role in the flourishing trade network connecting cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo.

Collision and Loss

On an unspecified date in 1840, the Schooner ATLANTIC met its untimely end after a collision with the steam-powered vessel BUFFALO, approximately 6 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio. The incident highlights the transitional period in maritime history when steam-powered ships began to dominate the waterways, often leading to conflicts and accidents as they operated alongside traditional sail-driven vessels.

Although details surrounding the collision are sparse, it is clear that the impact caused the ATLANTIC to sink. Records do not specify the cargo it was carrying or the fate of its crew, leaving many questions unanswered. This lack of documentation is characteristic of shipwrecks from the early 19th century, when meticulous record-keeping was not yet standard practice.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ATLANTIC was declared a Total Loss after its collision with the Steamer BUFFALO. The wreck likely remains on the lakebed east of Cleveland, though no modern survey or salvage effort has located it. The exact condition of the wreck is unknown, and it may have deteriorated significantly over the past 180 years.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically addressing the ATLANTIC wreck site. The lack of precise location data and its status as a long-lost wreck means it is not a navigational concern.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ATLANTIC has not been located or explored in modern times. Its approximate location is based on historical accounts of the incident in 1840.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive shipwreck database.

CONCLUSION

The Schooner ATLANTIC serves as a poignant example of the early Great Lakes maritime industry. Its loss in 1840 during a collision with the Steamer BUFFALO illustrates the challenges faced by sailors during an era of significant technological change, as steam-powered vessels began to replace sail-driven ships. Although the wreck remains undiscovered, its story continues to intrigue researchers and underscores the dynamic history of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century.

KEYWORDS

#ATLANTIC #Schooner #LakeErie #ClevelandOhio #Shipwreck #MaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipwrecks #19thCenturyShipping