IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Isaac Buchanan

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Year Built: 1852

• Built At: Port Stanley, Ontario

• Tonnage: 180 tons

• Port of Registry: Not specified

• Owners: C.J. or J.T. Hope, London, Ontario

• Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire at Port Stanley, Ontario, October 26, 1857

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The Isaac Buchanan was a wooden Schooner constructed in 1852 in Port Stanley, Ontario. With a tonnage of 180 tons, it was built for cargo transportation on the Great Lakes during a time of rapid economic and industrial expansion in the region. Schooners like the Isaac Buchanan were vital to the transport of bulk goods, such as wheat and timber, across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The Isaac Buchanan was launched in 1852, joining the ranks of numerous schooners built to serve the bustling trade routes on Lake Erie. Owned by C.J. or J.T. Hope of London, Ontario, the vessel likely played a key role in transporting agricultural goods and other materials across the lake.

Notable Incidents

The Schooner faced its share of challenges during its operational life:

• October 1855: The Isaac Buchanan ran aground during a gale at Gravelly Bay, Ontario. While details of the incident are scarce, the Schooner was evidently salvaged and returned to service.

• October 26, 1857: The Schooner met its tragic end during a devastating fire at Port Stanley.

The Port Stanley Fire

On October 26, 1857, a catastrophic fire broke out aboard the Steamer Free Trader while it was docked at Port Stanley, Ontario. The flames quickly spread to the Isaac Buchanan, which was moored nearby. The fire, fueled by the wooden construction of both vessels, engulfed them rapidly.

The blaze did not stop with the two ships; it also consumed three wheat warehouses and a hotel located on the shoreline. The total destruction of the Schooner and the Steamer marked a significant loss for Port Stanley, a hub of Great Lakes commerce.

While the exact cargo of the Isaac Buchanan at the time of the fire remains unknown, the loss of the Schooner alone was estimated at $8,000, a substantial sum for the era.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Loss: October 26, 1857

• Cause of Loss: Fire, originating aboard the Steamer Free Trader

• Location: Port Stanley, Ontario, Lake Erie

• Fatalities: None reported

SIGNIFICANCE AND LEGACY

The loss of the Isaac Buchanan underscores the inherent dangers faced by ships and port communities during the 19th century. Fires aboard wooden vessels were particularly devastating, often spreading rapidly and leaving little chance for salvage.

The Schooner’s destruction, alongside the loss of the Free Trader and other structures, dealt a severe blow to Port Stanley’s maritime operations. Despite this, such incidents were common in the era, reflecting the precarious nature of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.

SOURCES & LINKS

• Primary Sources:

• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, January 28, 1858 (1857 Casualty List)

• Toronto Globe, October 27, 1857

• Buffalo Daily Courier, October 27, 1857

• Buffalo Daily Republic, October 27, 1857

• External Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships

ANALYSIS

The Isaac Buchanan represents the resilience and vulnerability of schooners on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its untimely demise in the Port Stanley fire illustrates the risks inherent to maritime transportation and port operations of the period. The Schooner’s history, marked by both routine service and dramatic loss, contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.

TAGS

#IsaacBuchanan #PortStanleyFire #GreatLakesSchooner #Shipwreck #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #WoodenVessels