Shipwreck Report: Schooner Zephyr (1857–1869)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Zephyr
• Official Number: 28018
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner (Two-Masted)
• Built: 1857, by G. Cantair, Detroit, Michigan
• Final Location: 15 miles east of Long Point, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: June 10, 1869
• Cause: Storm
• Final Cargo: 250 tons of coal
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications  Length: 101 feet (30.8 meters)  Beam: 23 feet (7 meters)  Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 144 tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Masts: Two
• Propulsion: Sail-powered

Operational History

The Zephyr was a typical mid-19th-century wooden Schooner, designed to transport bulk cargoes such as coal, lumber, and grain across the Great Lakes. Built in Detroit in 1857, she operated primarily between ports like Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago.

Like many schooners of the time, she was vulnerable to rough weather, as she relied entirely on wind power and manual pumping systems to stay afloat in heavy seas.

Final Voyage & Loss (June 10, 1869)

• Departure: The Zephyr was en route from Buffalo, New York, to Detroit, Michigan, carrying 250 tons of coal.
• Weather Conditions:
  •  Encountered a severe storm while crossing Lake Erie.
  • Strong winds and high waves battered the vessel, forcing the crew to fight against leaks and flooding.
• Incident Details:
  • Despite efforts to stay afloat, the Zephyr sprang a leak and began taking on water rapidly.
  • The crew, realizing the ship was doomed, Abandoned her in the ship’s small boat.
  • After an 18-hour struggle against the storm, they made it safely to Grand River, Ontario.
• Final Depth: The Zephyr sank in approximately 25 fathoms (150 feet) of water, making recovery unlikely.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: 15 miles east of Long Point, Lake Erie
• Depth: 150 feet (45.7 meters)
• Current Condition:
• The wooden Hull has likely deteriorated, but iron fittings, anchors, and coal cargo may still remain. Lake Erie’s low-oxygen environment at deeper depths may have preserved parts of the ship’s structure.
• Potential for Discovery: The Zephyr still appears on some historical ship lists, suggesting she was never salvaged.
•  Modern sonar scans of Lake Erie’s deepwater wreck sites could potentially locate her remains.

Legacy and Significance

A Classic Example of a 19th-Century Schooner Loss  The Zephyr’s fate was similar to many Great Lakes schooners, which were frequently lost in storms or collisions.  These wooden vessels were essential for commerce, but they had limited safety measures and no modern weather forecasting.

Long Point – A Graveyard of Ships The Zephyr was lost in an area known for shipwrecks. Long Point, Ontario, has been called the “Graveyard of Lake Erie” due to the numerous wrecks that litter its waters. Strong currents, shallow shoals, and unexpected storms have caused dozens of maritime disasters in this region.

The End of an Era for Wooden Schooners By the late 19th century, the rise of steam-powered freighters was making wooden sailing ships obsolete.  The Zephyr’s loss in 1869 was part of the gradual decline of Schooner-dominated shipping on the Great Lakes.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Documents historical shipwrecks, vessel registries, and accident reports.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Features exhibits on lost schooners, steamers, and Lake Erie shipwrecks.
• Erie Wrecks & Shipwreck Research  http://www.eriewrecks.com Contains detailed maps of known shipwrecks in Lake Erie, including those near Long Point.
• Ontario Marine Heritage Committee Conducts shipwreck studies and underwater archaeology along the Ontario shoreline.

Conclusion

The Zephyr (1857–1869) was a two-masted wooden Schooner that sank in a storm 15 miles east of Long Point, Lake Erie, while carrying 250 tons of coal. Her crew survived after an exhausting 18-hour struggle to reach Grand River, Ontario. Like many schooners of her time, she was lost to the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes, and her remains likely still rest in 150 feet of water. Future sonar and wreck-hunting efforts could one day confirm her final resting place.