Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: Addain

•Wreck Type: Scow Schooner

•Official Number: 1408

•Dimensions: 76.4 feet in length, 19.6 feet in beam, 7.4 feet in depth

•Gross Tonnage: 62.26 tons (after Rebuild)

•Location: Lake Erie, Oak Point/Chickancla Reef

•Date of Loss: 1891

Vessel Type Description

The Addain was a scow Schooner, characterized by its flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg design, broad square ends, and shallow Draft, making it ideal for carrying bulk cargoes like coal, timber, and grain. Built in 1847 in Trenton, Michigan, the vessel featured two masts and a single Deck, common for Great Lakes schooners of the mid-19th century. The Addain was a workhorse of its time, designed to operate in the often shallow and treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

History

Constructed in 1847 (though some sources cite 1864), the Addain had a long and storied career. Initially measuring 35.90 tons, it underwent significant modifications in 1868 in Port Huron, Michigan, where it was Rebuilt, increasing its size to 62.26 gross tons. Owned by Thomas Skinner during this period, the vessel was heavily involved in the coal trade, a critical component of the industrial economy in the 19th century.

The Addain endured several incidents over its operational life:

•May 27, 1870: Wrecked on Chickancla Reef in Lake Erie while carrying coal. The vessel was salvaged on June 19 and returned to service.

•1886: Went ashore at Big Charity Island in Lake Huron, surviving another perilous event that highlighted the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes.

By 1890, the Schooner had been sold to Charles A. Beck of Port Huron. Despite its resilience, the Addain met its end in 1891 during a fierce northwest gale. The Schooner struck the hazardous Chicakanola Reef near Point-au-Pelee Island, causing it to sink rapidly. Tragically, Ida Strong, the ship’s cook, lost her life in the incident. The captain and remaining crew escaped in a small boat, leaving the vessel to its fate. A Tugboat dispatched to the scene found the Schooner irreparably lost.

Final Disposition

The Addain was declared a Total Loss following its wreck in 1891. It now rests on the lakebed near Point-au-Pelee Island. The exact location remains undetermined, and the wreck has not been extensively explored or documented in modern times.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Current Status: The wreck’s location remains unconfirmed, and potential underwater hazards may exist in the area near Chicakanola Reef. Mariners should navigate with caution.

•Preservation: The site is of historical interest, representing the challenges and hazards of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation.

Located By & Date

•Discovered: The wreck has not been formally located or surveyed in contemporary times. It remains a potential site for underwater exploration.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships: Historical records and ship details.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Great Lakes Maritime History

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Repository of shipwreck data.

Conclusion

The Addain‘s story encapsulates the perilous nature of maritime life on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Serving the coal trade and surviving multiple incidents, the scow Schooner exemplified resilience before its final tragic loss in 1891. The wreck is a compelling reminder of the Great Lakes’ role in shaping the industrial and economic history of the region and the sacrifices of those who navigated its waters.

Keywords

#Addain #LakeErieShipwrecks #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #ScowSchooner #19thCenturyShipwrecks #ChicakanolaReef #PointauPeleeShipwrecks