Scow-Brig Traveler (1847?–1858)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Traveler
• Other Names: Unknown
• Official Number: None (Pre-1869 U.S. vessel documentation era)
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden scow-Brig, two-masted
• Builder: Possibly J.P. Atkinson, Vermilion, Ohio
• Year Built & Launched: Likely 1847
• Specifications (Probable):  Length: 61 ft (18.6 m)  Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m)  Depth: 3 ft (0.9 m)
• Tonnage: 24 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date Lost: May 11, 1858
• Location of Loss: Point Pelee, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Storm (capsized and wrecked ashore)
• Loss of Life: 3 of 8 crew members
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Staves (wooden barrel-making materials)

Vessel Description & Service History

The Traveler was a scow-Brig, a type of flat-bottomed sailing vessel with two masts. These vessels were commonly used for carrying lumber, barrel staves, and other bulk materials on the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.  Built around 1847 in Vermilion, Ohio, a well-known center for shipbuilding at the time.  Owned by J. Prouty of Buffalo, a hub for lake commerce. Primarily used in the cargo trade between Lake Erie ports, transporting goods such as lumber and staves.  Notable for its shallow Draft, allowing it to operate in rivers and nearshore waters. During the mid-19th century, small scows like the Traveler were essential for shipping raw materials to growing cities and industries. However, their flat-bottomed design made them highly vulnerable to storms.

Final Voyage & Loss (May 11, 1858)

The Traveler was bound from Monroe, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York, carrying staves when she encountered a severe easterly storm on Lake Erie.  She fought against the storm for several days, being driven 90 miles westward before reaching Point Pelee.  In an attempt to regain control, the crew set full sail to improve maneuverability, but the vessel capsized. As she drifted closer to Point Pelee, she struck the shoreline with such force that she righted herself.  Several vessels approached to assist, but could not get close enough due to the dangerous conditions.  The crew endured five days of exposure to freezing conditions before the Propeller Steamer Portsmouth arrived and rescued the survivors.

Casualties

Three of the eight crew members perished.  One of the deceased was the wife of the mate, marking an especially tragic loss Despite her small size, the Traveler fought valiantly against the storm, but the fury of Lake Erie proved too much.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Possibly recovered (records indicate she may have been refloated, but no details exist).
• If not salvaged, the wreck likely deteriorated near Point Pelee.
• No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck site.
• Possible remains may exist buried in sand or silt near Point Pelee, Ontario.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Point Pelee has been a notorious hazard for ships, with many vessels lost to storms and shifting sandbars.  The shallow waters and exposure to strong winds make it a particularly dangerous area for sailing vessels.  The Traveler’s wreck is one of many that illustrate the dangers faced by early Great Lakes sailors.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Traveler was a small but hard-working scow-Brig, lost in a brutal storm near Point Pelee in 1858. Despite the crew’s desperate efforts to regain control, she capsized and ultimately wrecked. The survivors endured five days in freezing conditions before rescue, but three crew members, including the mate’s wife, were lost.

The wreck remains undiscovered, but the Traveler is one of many vessels lost in Lake Erie’s unpredictable waters, a testament to the dangers of 19th-century sailing.