IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: ADA (also known as ADDA)

•Vessel Type: Schooner

•Year Built: 1852

•Location Built: Sand Beach, Michigan

•Material: Wood

•Decks: One

•Final Location: Lake Huron, off Lakeport, Michigan

•Date of Loss: December 24, 1859

•Coordinates: Not available

•Depth at Wreck Site: Information not provided

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ADA was a wooden, single-Deck Schooner built for speed and maneuverability, characteristics that made schooners popular for transporting goods on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Constructed using wood, the vessel was typical of its era, contributing to the busy trade and transportation activities across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The ADA was launched in 1852 from Sand Beach, Michigan, amid a period of growing maritime activity on the Great Lakes. While specific details of the vessel’s ownership and voyages are sparse, schooners like the ADA played a crucial role in moving cargo such as lumber, grain, and other goods essential for the region’s economy.

On December 24, 1859, the ADA tragically Foundered in Lake Huron near Lakeport, Michigan. The exact circumstances leading to the vessel’s loss remain unclear, as detailed records are not available. The unpredictable weather and rough waters of Lake Huron, known for claiming numerous vessels, likely contributed to the Schooner’s demise.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ADA sank near Lakeport, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The exact location of the wreck is unknown, and no records indicate any recovery or exploration efforts. The vessel’s final resting place remains undiscovered, leaving a significant portion of its story untold.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Current Notices: There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the wreck of the ADA.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ADA has not been located or explored, and there are no known records documenting its exact position.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the passage of over 160 years since the vessel’s sinking, the condition of the ADA is unknown. It is likely that any remaining artifacts or structure have deteriorated significantly, if not entirely disintegrated. The site is not considered accessible for diving or exploration due to its unknown location.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

KEYWORDS

•ADA

•ADDA

•Schooner

•Lake Huron

•Shipwreck

•Sand Beach, Michigan

•Great Lakes Maritime History

CONCLUSION

The ADA represents one of many schooners that navigated the Great Lakes during the 19th century, contributing to the economic growth of the region. Its tragic loss in 1859 near Lakeport, Michigan, highlights the perils faced by sailors and vessels on the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron. While its operational history remains largely undocumented, the sinking of the ADA adds to the rich maritime legacy of the Great Lakes. The absence of precise information about its wreck location leaves its story incomplete, a poignant reminder of the many untold tales beneath the Great Lakes.