SHIPWRECK REPORT: AMAZON (1837–1864)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: Amazon

•Type: Brig (formerly a Schooner)

•Build Year: 1837

•Builder: Zadoc Pangborn, Port Huron, Michigan

•Length: Not documented

•Final Location: Near Point Edward, Ontario, Lake Huron

•Coordinates: Specific coordinates not documented

•Depth: Shallow water near the shore

•Condition: Total Loss; vessel shattered upon grounding

•Cargo at Time of Loss: Coal

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Amazon was a wooden-hulled Schooner, later Rebuilt into a Brig in 1844. Brigs were characterized by their square-rigged sails on two masts, making them suitable for long-distance voyages and heavy cargo transport. The Amazon, known as one of the oldest working vessels on the Great Lakes by the time of its demise, was a testament to early Great Lakes shipbuilding and the resilience of wooden sailing vessels.

HISTORY

The Amazon was constructed in 1837 in Port Huron, Michigan, by the renowned shipbuilder Zadoc Pangborn. The vessel was initially a Schooner, a design favored for its maneuverability and efficiency in variable wind conditions. In 1844, it was reconfigured as a Brig to increase its cargo capacity and optimize its performance on longer voyages.

For nearly three decades, the Amazon served the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes, transporting a variety of goods and materials, including coal, grain, and timber. The vessel was highly regarded as a workhorse of the lakes and a symbol of early maritime enterprise.

FINAL VOYAGE

On May 9, 1864, the Amazon embarked on what would be its final voyage. The Brig was carrying a load of coal from Cleveland, Ohio, to Lake Superior. While navigating the St. Clair River, the Amazon encountered a violent storm as it approached Lake Huron.

The sudden and severe weather rendered the vessel uncontrollable. Towering waves and gale-force winds drove the Amazon onto the rocky Canadian shore near Point Edward, Ontario. Despite the crew’s best efforts, the Amazon was grounded, and the relentless storm pounded the vessel to pieces.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Amazon was declared a Total Loss after grounding on the rocky shoreline. The wooden Hull was shattered, and salvage was deemed impossible. While the loss of the vessel was a significant blow to the maritime community, no lives were lost, and the crew survived the ordeal.

LEGACY

The Amazon holds a special place in Great Lakes history as one of the oldest vessels in service at the time of its loss. Its nearly three decades of operation saw it contribute to the growth of commerce and navigation on the lakes. The vessel’s legacy endures in the stories of its voyages and its ultimate fate, serving as a reminder of the hazards faced by mariners and the spirit of resilience that characterized Great Lakes shipping.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Amazon wreck site, as the remains of the vessel were destroyed and scattered. The site is near the shore and poses no navigational hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The Amazon wreck occurred near Point Edward, Ontario, on May 9, 1864. The specific location of any remnants has not been documented, as the vessel was thoroughly destroyed upon grounding.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Amazon was completely destroyed, with no known remnants documented or preserved. The shallow, rocky location where the vessel grounded near Point Edward makes it unlikely that significant portions of the vessel remain.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships Database

KEYWORDS

Amazon Brig, Schooner Brig, Lake Huron shipwreck, Point Edward shipwreck, coal transport, 19th-century Great Lakes maritime history, Zadoc Pangborn, Great Lakes storms.

CONCLUSION

The loss of the Amazon on May 9, 1864, underscores the perilous nature of maritime operations on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite its tragic end, the Amazon’s long service life and transformation from Schooner to Brig reflect the adaptability and ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilding. Its story serves as both a cautionary tale and a tribute to the enduring spirit of exploration and trade that defined the region’s maritime history.