IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: CHASKA

• Type: Scow Schooner

• Year Built: 1870

• Builder: Leonidas D. Merritt, Duluth, Minnesota

• Dimensions:

• Length: 69 feet (21 meters)

• Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters)

• Depth: 5.75 feet (1.8 meters)

• Tonnage: Not documented

• Cargo Capacity: 75,000 feet of lumber

• Number of Masts: Two

• Final Disposition: Wrecked in a storm on August 28, 1871, near Duluth or Ontonagon, Lake Superior

• Current Condition: Presumed destroyed; no known remains

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CHASKA was a scow Schooner, a type of flat-bottomed, two-masted vessel designed for carrying heavy cargo like lumber and goods. Scow schooners were well-suited to the shallow waters and varying depths of the Great Lakes’ coastal areas. With its single Deck and sturdy wooden construction, the CHASKA embodied the practical design of working vessels of its era.

HISTORY

Construction and Launch

Built in 1870, the CHASKA was the first vessel constructed in Duluth, Minnesota, a milestone for the region’s burgeoning maritime industry. Designed by Leonidas D. Merritt, the ship symbolized the promise of Duluth’s transformation into a major port city. The CHASKA was owned by a group of prominent locals, including the Merritt brothers—Leonidas and Alfred—and Henry S. Ely, all from Oneota, Minnesota.

The ship was intended to serve the growing demand for lumber transportation, reflecting the importance of the logging industry to the region’s economy. Its capacity to carry 75,000 feet of lumber made it an essential part of the supply chain linking Great Lakes ports.

The Ill-Fated Journey

The CHASKA’s service was tragically brief. On August 28, 1871, just over a year after its launch, the vessel encountered a violent northwesterly storm while navigating Lake Superior. Near Duluth or Ontonagon, the ship was overcome by the relentless forces of nature and wrecked. Although the crew managed to escape unharmed, the CHASKA was irreparably lost.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CHASKA was destroyed in the storm and presumably sank or was dashed to pieces. The wreck has not been located, and no known remnants have been recovered. The short-lived vessel’s demise underscores the unpredictable and often perilous conditions faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes.

SIGNIFICANCE

The CHASKA holds a unique place in maritime history as Duluth’s first ship. Its construction marked the beginning of the city’s development into a key hub for shipping and trade on Lake Superior. Though its life was brief, the CHASKA paved the way for the robust maritime activity that would come to define Duluth’s port.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: A detailed database of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

• Great Lakes Ships: Information on vessels built and operated on the Great Lakes.

CONCLUSION

The story of the CHASKA is one of both innovation and tragedy. As Duluth’s first ship, it represented a milestone for the city and its aspirations to become a significant port. However, its untimely loss just a year after its launch is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by early vessels on Lake Superior. Today, the CHASKA is remembered as a symbol of resilience and the indomitable spirit of the Great Lakes maritime community.

KEYWORDS

CHASKA shipwreck, Duluth first ship, Great Lakes scow schooners, Lake Superior shipwrecks, 19th-century shipbuilding, Leonidas Merritt, Ontonagon storm wreck, early Duluth history