Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANTARES
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 366
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1853
• Builder: Clark or Stevens, Cattaraugus (now Irving), New York
• Measurements: 96 ft (29.3 m) length, 22 ft (6.7 m) beam, 9 ft (2.7 m) depth; 176 tons
• Date Lost: May 1, 1884
• Place of Loss: Ogden Canal, Chicago, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner

Description

The ANTARES was a mid-sized wooden schooner constructed in 1853 in Cattaraugus (now Irving), New York. With her size and build, she was typical of the schooners that traversed the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, primarily transporting bulk cargo such as grain, lumber, and coal. The Schooner was designed for durability, but after three decades of service, the ANTARES began to show signs of significant wear and deterioration.

History

The ANTARES had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, reflecting both the demands and dangers of maritime commerce in the 19th century. Originally built by either Clark or Stevens, she operated out of Chicago and was owned by Jacob Waltman at the time of her loss.

Throughout her operational life, the ANTARES experienced several incidents that foreshadowed her eventual demise:

• In 1855, just two years after her launch, the schooner ran aground near Cleveland.
• In 1867, she sank near Manistee, Michigan, but was apparently salvaged and returned to service.
• In November 1874, the ANTARES was damaged in a gale on Lake Michigan, a common hazard for wooden vessels on the turbulent lake.
• In June 1883, she was damaged in a collision with the IRONSIDES off Grand Haven, Michigan.

These cumulative damages contributed to the vessel’s declining condition. By 1879, the ANTARES was dropped from Inland Lloyd’s registry because she was deemed “uninsurable”, indicating that her structural integrity had been severely compromised. Her last known registration was in April 1881, but by that time, the Schooner was nearing the end of her serviceable life.

On May 1, 1884, the ANTARES sank in the Ogden Canal of the Chicago River under unknown circumstances. Given her extreme age and poor condition, it is likely that Hull failure played a significant role in her sinking. Contemporary reports indicated that she was unlikely to be raised due to her deteriorated state, marking the end of her long and troubled history.

Final Disposition

Sank in the Ogden Canal of the Chicago River on May 1, 1884, likely due to Hull failure. She was considered beyond salvage due to her age and condition.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the wreck being raised or its current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ANTARES in the Ogden Canal, Chicago.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Chicago Maritime Museum
• Wikipedia- Ogden Slip

Conclusion

The story of the ANTARES reflects the life cycle of many wooden schooners that plied the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite surviving multiple incidents, including groundings, gales, and collisions, the vessel’s structural integrity gradually deteriorated, culminating in her sinking in the Ogden Canal in 1884. The Schooner’s removal from Inland Lloyd’s registry in 1879 as “uninsurable” foreshadowed her fate, and by the time of her final sinking, the ANTARES was considered beyond recovery. Her long service and numerous mishaps serve as a testament to the harsh conditions faced by Great Lakes mariners and the inevitable decline of even the most resilient vessels.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ANTARES Schooner, Ogden Canal shipwreck, Chicago River sinking, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, Inland Lloyd’s non-insurable vessels, Great Lakes maritime history
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Schooners, Wooden Vessel Hull Failures, Chicago Maritime History, Unsalvaged Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Ogden Canal: A section of the Chicago River used historically for industrial and commercial navigation.
• Inland Lloyd’s: A maritime insurance registry; being dropped from the registry indicated that a vessel was no longer considered seaworthy or insurable.
• Hull Failure: Structural collapse or severe damage to a ship’s Hull, often leading to sinking, particularly common in older wooden vessels.