IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Algonquin
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1839
• Builder: George Washington Jones, Lorain, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 55 feet 4 inches (16.9 meters) Beam: 18 feet 2 inches (5.5 meters)
• Depth: 6 feet 8 inches (2.0 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 54 59/95 Tonnage (Old Style)
• Hull Features: Wooden construction, scroll head, square Stern
• Original Owner: Cyrus Mendenhall, Cleveland, Ohio
• Final Location: Quebec Pier, Superior, Wisconsin
• Final Status: Abandoned in 1858, stripped and later destroyed by vandals

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Algonquin was a gaff-rigged, two-masted Schooner featuring gaff topsails and two jibs. Designed for cargo transport, its wooden Hull and modest size made it ideal for navigating the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. Its scroll head and square Stern were typical of schooners of the era, which were known for their versatility and efficiency in transporting goods across the region’s extensive waterways.

HISTORY

Early Service The Algonquin was launched in 1839 and quickly became an essential vessel for the burgeoning trade on the Great Lakes. It gained recognition for its pioneering voyages on Lake Superior. Pulled over the portage at Sault Ste. Marie in the 1840s, it was among the first large vessels to operate in the area.

The Schooner carried significant cargoes, including the first mass boulder of copper from Ontonagon to Sault Ste. Marie and the first samples of Lake Superior iron ore. It also delivered supplies for the construction of Fort Wilkins at Copper Harbor, contributing to the region’s military and industrial development.

Key Missions

• 1845: Assisted in salvaging the Steamer Independence at Ashland, Wisconsin.
• 1852: Rescued passengers and crew from the wreck of the Steamer Monticello off Keweenaw Point.

Ownership and Enrollment

Ownership of the Algonquin shifted several times throughout its career, with enrollments recorded in Cleveland, Michilimackinac, and Sault Ste. Marie. Prominent owners included J.S. Converse, James A. Converse, and A. Davidson, among others.

Final Years

The Algonquin was Abandoned and stripped in 1858 at Quebec Pier in Superior, Wisconsin. The Hull was acquired by John A. Barson with plans to convert it into a steam yacht, but these plans were never realized. Vandals eventually dismantled the remains of the Schooner for souvenirs, and traces of the vessel were still visible into the 1890s.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Algonquin was stripped and Abandoned in 1858. While its Hull was intended for reuse, it was ultimately broken apart, marking the end of a vessel that had played a significant role in the early development of Lake Superior shipping.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are associated with the Algonquin. The vessel’s remains were located at Quebec Pier, Superior, Wisconsin, but no significant wreckage exists today.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The remains of the Algonquin were noted in historical records and reportedly visible into the 1890s. The precise location is no longer marked or accessible.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Algonquin no longer exists as an identifiable wreck. The remains were dismantled by vandals in the late 19th century, and any surviving fragments have since disappeared.

RESOURCES & LINKS

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

CONCLUSION

The Algonquin was a trailblazer on Lake Superior, marking significant milestones in early Great Lakes commerce and exploration. From transporting copper and iron ore to supporting military operations and participating in rescue missions, the Schooner exemplified the vital role of 19th-century vessels in the region’s economic and industrial growth. Though its physical remnants are lost, the Algonquin’s legacy remains firmly embedded in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

KEYWORDS Algonquin Schooner, Lake Superior shipping, 19th-century Great Lakes vessels, Sault Ste. Marie portage, early iron ore transport, copper trade Schooner, Superior Wisconsin maritime history.