IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Chicago Board of Trade

•Official Number: Not Available

•Type: Barkentine (Schooner)

•Year Built: 1863

•Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin

•Dimensions:

•Length: 153.4 feet (46.8 meters)

•Beam: 30.7 feet (9.4 meters)

•Depth: 12.2 feet (3.7 meters)

•Tonnage:

•588 tons (old measurement)

•424 tons (new measurement in 1865)

•Coordinates:

•Latitude: 41° 39.85’ N

•Longitude: 82° 58.90’ W

•Location: Niagara Reef, Lake Erie

•Depth: 30 feet (9.1 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Chicago Board of Trade was a wooden Barkentine, a three-masted sailing vessel with a square sail on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the other masts. Designed for strength and large cargo capacity, it served as a reliable carrier for commodities like iron ore and grain across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Years

•Built in 1863 in Manitowoc, WI, for Platt, Vilas, et al.

•Initially homeported in Milwaukee, WI, the vessel underwent a remeasurement in 1865 to reflect new tonnage standards, reducing its official tonnage to 424 tons.

•Changed ownership several times, including to Bradley of Chicago in 1866 and H. Hawgood of Milwaukee in 1879.

Operational Highlights

•Experienced a series of incidents throughout its career:

•In 1874, it sank while carrying 30,000 bushels of corn but was raised and repaired in 1875.

•In 1883, it collided with the Golden Fleece in Lake Huron.

•In 1889, it suffered leaks and required repairs in Detroit, MI.

•In 1898, it ran aground during a snowstorm near Cheboygan, MI.

Final Voyage

On November 21, 1900, the Chicago Board of Trade was carrying iron ore when it struck Niagara Reef in Lake Erie during a gale. The ship broke apart shortly after the collision. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the Steamer J.K. Secor, but the vessel was lost.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Chicago Board of Trade wrecked on Niagara Reef, marking the end of its nearly 40-year service. The wreck remains submerged in 30 feet of water, a testament to the vessel’s storied history.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition:

The wreck lies scattered on the lakebed in shallow water. Over a century of exposure to the elements has significantly deteriorated its structure, though it remains a site of historical interest.

•Accessibility:

At a depth of 30 feet, the wreck is easily accessible for recreational divers. It offers a glimpse into the construction and ultimate demise of a 19th-century Barkentine.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships: Detailed information on Great Lakes vessels.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive shipwreck database.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival records of vessels and incidents.

•Erie Wrecks: Resources for Lake Erie shipwreck exploration.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Chicago Board of Trade exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its long service life, punctuated by incidents and repairs, reflects the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and their crews.

The ship’s wreck on Niagara Reef serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners navigating these waters and contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes.

TAGS

•#GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeErie #Barkentine #Schooner #MaritimeHistory #ShipwreckResearch #NiagaraReef #IronOreTransport

ANALYSIS

The Chicago Board of Trade’s career illustrates the critical role of sailing vessels in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. Its resilience in the face of numerous challenges—groundings, collisions, and severe weather—speaks to the durability of 19th-century shipbuilding practices.

Today, the wreck site offers both divers and historians an opportunity to explore and commemorate the legacy of this once-great vessel.