Shipwreck Report: Propeller Vessel Akron

Identification & Site Information

•Official Number: 394

•Year of Build: 1859

•Built At: Cleveland, Ohio

•Vessel Type: Propeller

•Hull Materials: Wood

•Builder: Quayle & Martin

•Original Owners: Philo Chamberlin & John H. Crawford, Cleveland

•Ownership Notes: Operated by the Northern Transportation Co.

Construction and Specifications

•Length: 135.03 feet (41.2 m)

•Beam: 22.7 feet (6.9 m)

•Depth: 11.27 feet (3.4 m)

•Tonnage (Old Style): 367 tons

•Propulsion: Screw propeller, powered by steam

•Number of Decks: 2

•Number of Masts: 1

The Akron was designed as a robust wooden propeller-driven vessel to support cargo and passenger transportation across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its Screw Propulsion and spacious design were considered state-of-the-art for the time.

Operational History

The Akron was a vital part of the Northern Transportation Co.’s fleet, facilitating trade and passenger services on key routes across the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence River.

•1859: Launched and enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel began service on the company’s established trade routes.

•1860–1866: Operated regularly between Ogdensburg, NY, and Cleveland, Ohio, with extensions to Toledo and Detroit.

•1871: The vessel caught fire but was scuttled to save it from total destruction. It was later raised and repaired, resuming its services on the Great Lakes.

The Akron was well-known for its resilience, surviving incidents that would have ended the service life of many vessels of its kind.

Final Fate

The Akron met its end in September 1873.

•Date of Incident: September 17, 1873

•Location: Near Collin’s Dock, 5 miles above Alexandria Bay, St. Lawrence River

•Cause: A fire that consumed the vessel beyond repair

Details of the Incident

While docked at Collin’s Dock on the St. Lawrence River, the Akron caught fire. The crew’s attempts to save the vessel were unsuccessful, and it was declared a Total Loss. The Akron was valued for its sturdy construction and reliable service, making its loss a notable event in the shipping records of the Great Lakes.

Legacy and Impact

The Akron was a typical example of the resilient wooden propeller-driven vessels that supported the burgeoning trade and passenger routes across the Great Lakes. Its operational history and final loss in 1873 underscore the significant risks associated with 19th-century maritime operations, particularly for wooden-hulled vessels exposed to fire hazards.

The vessel is remembered for its contribution to expanding trade across key ports like Cleveland, Detroit, and Ogdensburg, fostering economic growth in the Great Lakes region during a crucial period of industrial and maritime development.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Accessibility

•NOTMARs: There are no current notices related to the Akron.

•Accessibility: The wreck is presumed to have been destroyed or rendered inaccessible, with no notable remnants documented in recent years.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Buffalo Commercial Advertiser

•British Whig (Kingston, ON)

•University of Detroit – Mercy, C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database

•Edward J. Dowling Collection

Conclusion

The Akron exemplifies the era’s wooden propeller-driven vessels, integral to the economic and transportation systems of the Great Lakes. Despite its loss to fire in 1873, the vessel’s operational resilience and history remain a testament to the innovation and determination of Great Lakes maritime industries during the 19th century.

Keywords

#Akron #PropellerVessel #GreatLakesShipwreck #NorthernTransportationCo #MaritimeHistory #StLawrenceRiver #19thCenturyShipping