Identification & Site Information

• Name: MARIA ANTOINETTE
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None (pre-registration era)
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-masted
• Date Built and Launched: 1826
• Builder: Fairbanks & Church, Sandusky, Ohio
• Measurements: 73 ft (22.3 m) length, 21 ft (6.4 m) beam, 7 ft (2.1 m) depth; 87 tons
• Date Lost: 1829
• Place of Loss: Near Sandusky, Ohio, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

Description

The MARIA ANTOINETTE was a relatively small, two-masted wooden schooner constructed in 1826 by Fairbanks & Church in Sandusky, Ohio. Her size and build were typical of early Great Lakes schooners, designed to transport cargo and passengers between burgeoning port towns along Lake Erie and the upper lakes. The vessel represented an early chapter in Great Lakes maritime commerce, a period marked by rapid growth in shipping and trade as settlements expanded across the region.

History

Launched in 1826, the MARIA ANTOINETTE operated during the formative years of Great Lakes shipping, when schooners were the primary mode of transporting goods such as timber, grain, and other bulk commodities. Built in Sandusky, Ohio, a town that would grow to become a major port on Lake Erie, the vessel played a role in the early economic development of the region.

In 1829, just three years after her launch, the MARIA ANTOINETTE encountered a storm near Sandusky. During the storm, the Schooner went ashore and was torn to pieces by the wind and waves. The severity of the storm and the vessel’s fragile wooden construction left little chance for salvage, and she was declared a Total Loss. Unfortunately, specific details regarding loss of life or cargo are not documented, which is not uncommon for shipwrecks from this early period in Great Lakes maritime history.

Final Disposition

Went ashore and was torn to pieces near Sandusky, Ohio, in 1829 during a storm. The vessel was a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the MARIA ANTOINETTE wreck site near Sandusky, Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Sandusky Maritime Museum
• Wisconsin Historical Society Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The loss of the MARIA ANTOINETTE in 1829 represents one of the many early shipwrecks that occurred during the rapid expansion of Great Lakes maritime commerce in the 19th century. Built in Sandusky, Ohio, by Fairbanks & Church, the Schooner served a brief but vital role in transporting goods across Lake Erie before succumbing to the unpredictable weather that has claimed countless vessels on the Great Lakes. The lack of detailed records surrounding the incident is typical of shipwrecks from this era, reflecting the challenges in documenting maritime losses during the early days of regional commerce. Despite her short service life, the MARIA ANTOINETTE‘s story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: MARIA ANTOINETTE Schooner, Sandusky Ohio shipwreck, Lake Erie Schooner loss, Fairbanks & Church shipbuilders, early Great Lakes maritime history
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Early 19th Century Shipwrecks, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Sandusky Maritime History
• Glossary Terms:
• Went Ashore: A term indicating that a vessel was driven onto the shore by wind or waves, often resulting in structural damage or Total Loss.
• Pre-Registration Era: The period before formal vessel registration systems were widely adopted, leading to incomplete or inconsistent records of shipbuilding and losses.
• Fairbanks & Church: A shipbuilding firm based in Sandusky, Ohio, active during the early 19th century, contributing to the growth of Great Lakes maritime commerce.