TARTAR (1853, Schooner)

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: TARTAR
• Other Names: Also reported as TARTIN or TARTAN in some records
• Official Number: 24108
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Builder: Bates, Milan, Ohio
• Year Built: 1853
• Specifications:  Length: 110 ft (33.53 m)  Beam: 24 ft (7.32 m)  Depth: 10 ft (3.05 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 188 tons (gross)
• Hull Material: Wood

Vessel Type

The TARTAR was a two-masted wooden Schooner, designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Schooners of this class were crucial for transporting lumber, grain, coal, and other commodities across the region, particularly during the mid-19th century when maritime trade dominated inland commerce.

Description

Constructed in Milan, Ohio, the TARTAR represented the robust and practical design typical of Great Lakes schooners in the 1850s. With her moderate size and sturdy build, she was capable of handling the demanding conditions of Lake Erie and beyond. Operating primarily out of Buffalo, New York, by 1869, the Schooner was an integral part of the grain and goods trade routes connecting the Midwest to the East Coast.

Launched in 1853, the TARTAR had nearly two decades of service on the lakes before her loss. Vessels like the TARTAR played a vital role in supporting the booming industrial and agricultural economies of the Great Lakes region. She likely carried a variety of cargoes, including grain, lumber, and general freight, navigating busy ports such as Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit.

Final Disposition

On December 1, 1870, the TARTAR encountered a severe storm while navigating off Point Pelee in Lake Erie. During the storm, she struck a reef and became stranded. Despite efforts to save her, the damage proved extensive.

The vessel was left over the winter, and by the following spring, her underwriters officially stripped and Abandoned her as a Total Loss. This was a common practice at the time when the cost of salvage exceeded the value of the vessel and cargo.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The loss of the TARTAR highlights the perils of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. The treacherous waters around Point Pelee, known for its shifting shoals and sudden storms, claimed many vessels over the years. The TARTAR’s story is emblematic of the countless schooners that served as the lifeblood of commerce but met their end battling the unpredictable forces of nature.