Identification & Site Information

• Name: HUMBOLDT
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: 11855
• Date Built and Launched: 1857
• Builder: J. Chapman, Sandusky, Ohio
• Measurements:
• Length: 87 ft (26.52 m)
• Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m)
• Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 103 tons
• Date Lost: 1868
• Place of Loss: Chicago Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden scow-schooner, a vessel type known for its flat-bottomed Hull which made it ideal for transporting bulk cargo in shallow waters. Interestingly, the HUMBOLDT was reported to have a sharp bow, which may have contributed to better handling or speed compared to typical scow designs.

Description

The HUMBOLDT was constructed in 1857 by J. Chapman in Sandusky, Ohio, a shipbuilding hub on Lake Erie. At 87 feet in length and 103 gross tons, the vessel was relatively small but well-suited for short-haul cargo transport along the Great Lakes. The scow-Schooner design was particularly favored for hauling heavy loads like stone, sand, coal, or lumber, as its flat bottom allowed it to navigate shallow waters and easily dock at smaller ports.

Although scow-schooners were often boxy and utilitarian in design, the HUMBOLDT’s sharp bow may have been a unique adaptation for better performance in the more open and sometimes rough waters of Lake Michigan.

History

The HUMBOLDT operated primarily out of Chicago, which was a booming hub of commerce and industry during the mid-19th century. Vessels like the HUMBOLDT were vital in supporting the rapid growth of the city, transporting essential materials for construction, manufacturing, and urban development.

The vessel’s operational history is not extensively documented, but like many scow-schooners of the era, it likely made regular runs between Midwestern ports, hauling cargoes of building materials or other heavy freight.

Final Disposition

In 1868, the HUMBOLDT sank in Chicago Harbor under unclear circumstances. Some reports suggest a possible collision, while others simply note the vessel’s sudden sinking without additional details. The lack of clarity surrounding the event is typical of many 19th-century maritime incidents, where record-keeping was inconsistent, and details were often lost over time.

It is unknown whether there were any fatalities, and there is no specific information about the vessel’s cargo at the time of its sinking.

There is also speculation that the HUMBOLDT may have been recovered, though no definitive records confirm whether the vessel was salvaged and returned to service or permanently Abandoned after the incident.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the HUMBOLDT‘s wreck being located in Chicago Harbor. If the vessel was indeed recovered, there may be no remnants left to discover.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No current navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported in Chicago Harbor.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The HUMBOLDT represents the workhorse vessels of the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century—scow-schooners that were indispensable to the rapid industrial growth of cities like Chicago. While the vessel’s sinking in 1868 remains somewhat of a mystery, it highlights the risks faced by even small, utilitarian ships navigating the busy and often hazardous waters of Lake Michigan. The possibility that the vessel was recovered suggests that scow-schooners, with their simple yet durable design, were highly valued assets that shipowners were eager to salvage when possible.

If you’re interested in more details about Chicago’s maritime history or similar scow-Schooner shipwrecks in the region, let me know!