Identification & Site Information

• Name: United States
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built & Launched: 1835
• Builder: Huron, Ohio
• Specifications: 140 ft x 28 ft x 10 ft (42.7 m x 8.5 m x 3.0 m), 366 tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer
• Date Lost: March 7, 1849
• Place of Loss: Buffalo, New York, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Fire (suspected arson)
• Loss of Life: None 
• Cargo: Unknown
• Owner: Munger & Willard, Buffalo

Vessel Type

The United States was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, a common design for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the early to mid-19th century. These steamers featured large paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the Hull, driven by steam engines, allowing for greater speed and control compared to sailing vessels. They were widely used for ferrying passengers, mail, and freight between growing lakeside communities.

Description & History

Built in Huron, Ohio, in 1835, the United States was among the early steam-powered vessels operating on the Great Lakes. The ship was owned by Munger & Willard of Buffalo, indicating its use for commercial transport between Buffalo and other ports on Lake Erie.

The United States had an earlier accident in June 1836, when it stranded and was damaged east of Erie, Pennsylvania, after running aground on rocks in foggy conditions. The extent of the damage is unclear, but the vessel was evidently repaired and continued operating for over a decade.

On March 7, 1849, while docked at Buffalo, the vessel caught fire and was completely destroyed. The fire was widely believed to be an act of arson, but no suspects were identified. After the fire, the remains were quickly broken up, preventing any chance of salvage or reconstruction.

Final Disposition

The United States was declared a Total Loss after the fire, and its remains were dismantled shortly afterward.

Located By & Date Found

No wreckage remains, as the vessel was broken up soon after the fire.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No modern hazards associated with this wreck.  The Buffalo waterfront has undergone significant changes since the 19th century, making any remnants of the vessel unlikely to exist.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The United States was an early Great Lakes Sidewheel Steamer, indicative of the transition from sailing vessels to steam-powered transport. Its suspected arson-related fire in Buffalo highlights the vulnerabilities of wooden steamers, which were prone to rapid destruction by fire. While no remains exist, the vessel played a role in the early maritime commerce of the region, connecting key ports along Lake Erie.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes steamers, sidewheel steamers, Buffalo maritime history, 19th-century ship fires, Lake Erie transportation

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden steamers, fire-related losses

Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Arson, Buffalo Harbor, Great Lakes Steam Navigation