Shipwreck Report: Schooner ATLANTA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: ATLANTA

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Builder: Goble & McFarlane

•Year Built: 1873

•Location Built: Oswego, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 142 feet (43.3 meters)

•Beam: 26 feet (7.9 meters)

•Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 318 tons

•Final Location: Likely Point Au Sable, Lake Huron

•Date of Loss: November 11, 1874

•Coordinates: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ATLANTA was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a common type of vessel used for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners like the ATLANTA were favored for their ability to efficiently move large loads of goods such as grain, coal, and lumber across the lakes’ expansive waters. With its moderate size and capacity, the ATLANTA was well-suited for its role in the grain trade.

HISTORY

The ATLANTA was launched in 1873, joining the bustling trade routes that connected major ports along the Great Lakes. Owned by Thomas S. Mott of Oswego, New York, and commanded by Captain Samuel Morran(d), the vessel was primarily engaged in transporting bulk goods such as wheat.

Final Voyage

•Departure Point: Chicago, Illinois

•Destination: Oswego, New York

•Cargo: 18,000 bushels of wheat

•Incident Date: November 11, 1874

During its final voyage, the ATLANTA sailed alongside the Schooner FAVORITE, both heading for Oswego. The vessels separated after passing Thunder Bay Island on Lake Huron. Later that day, fishermen at Point Au Sable reported seeing a white-painted Schooner disappear into a squall. This description matched the ATLANTA.

Despite initial speculation that the ATLANTA may have made it to Lake Erie, reports suggest it likely Foundered or capsized in Lake Huron during the storm. Tragically, all 6 or 7 crew members aboard perished.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Cause of Loss: Foundering or capsizing during a storm

•Location of Wreck: Believed to be off Point Au Sable, Lake Huron

•Crew Loss: All 6–7 crew members lost

•Cargo: 18,000 bushels of wheat (Total Loss)

The ATLANTA was presumed to have sunk after being overwhelmed by rough weather. The squall observed by local fishermen was the last known sighting of the vessel. There is no confirmed discovery of the wreck, and its exact location remains unknown.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck of the ATLANTA. Mariners navigating in the area of Point Au Sable should always exercise caution, particularly during periods of adverse weather.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The ATLANTA has not been located, and its wreckage remains unidentified. Historical reports and eyewitness accounts place its final resting place in Lake Huron, near Point Au Sable.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the ATLANTA has not been discovered, and its condition is unknown. Given the length of time since its sinking and its wooden construction, any remains are likely heavily deteriorated or buried in sediment.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

CONCLUSION

The ATLANTA’s loss in November 1874 highlights the perilous nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite the advances in shipbuilding and navigation of the time, vessels like the ATLANTA were often at the mercy of sudden and severe storms. The tragedy underscores the risks faced by sailors and the challenges of transporting goods across these inland seas.

The ATLANTA remains an enduring mystery, with its exact location yet to be confirmed. Its story, however, is a significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Huron and the Great Lakes region.

KEYWORDS

#ATLANTA #Schooner #LakeHuron #Shipwreck #PointAuSable #19thCenturyShipping #GrainTrade #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeDisaster