Shipwreck Report: Schooner American Eagle

Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: American Eagle

•Type: Schooner

•Year Built: 1816, Ashtabula, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 54.9 feet (16.7 meters)

•Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters)

•Depth: 6.1 feet (1.9 meters)

•Tonnage: 68 tons

•Construction: Wood, two masts

•Final Location: Near Grand River, Ohio, Lake Erie (future site of Fairport, Ohio)

•Date of Loss: November 26, 1820

•Condition: Total Loss; vessel driven ashore

Vessel Type Description

The American Eagle was a wooden Schooner built for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Vessels like the American Eagle were instrumental in early 19th-century trade, connecting ports along Lake Erie and carrying essential goods such as salt and general merchandise. With its modest size and two-mast configuration, the Schooner was designed to navigate efficiently in the often volatile conditions of the Great Lakes.

History

Construction and Ownership

Built in 1816 in Ashtabula, Ohio, the American Eagle was a valuable asset to the burgeoning Great Lakes maritime trade. Over its operational life, the Schooner served several prominent lake men, including Sheldon Thompson, Nathaniel Sill, Augustus Porter, and Alvin Bronson. Initially enrolled in Presque Isle, Pennsylvania, it later operated out of Cleveland, Ohio.

Notable Incidents

Prior to its tragic loss, the American Eagle had already endured a grounding near Cleveland, highlighting the perilous nature of early lake navigation.

The Final Voyage

On November 26, 1820, the American Eagle set out bound for the Erie Islands. A sudden southwesterly gale struck near Grand River, Ohio, forcing the vessel ashore. Despite its light load, the Schooner was unable to withstand the powerful storm. The vessel broke apart when it parted its cable and beached near the mouth of the river.

The accident claimed the lives of all five individuals aboard, including the ship’s master, Captain J. Manchester, and four sailors. The Schooner overturned in the surf, and the crew was unable to escape the wreckage.

News reports from the time noted that the vessel had safely delivered much of its cargo before the storm, but the gale rendered it defenseless against Lake Erie’s fury. Ownership records indicate that at the time of its loss, the vessel was owned by the estate of Captain William Gaillard and Sill, Thompson & Co.

Final Disposition

The American Eagle was declared a Total Loss after being driven ashore and overturned near Grand River, Ohio. The Hull sustained severe damage, and no salvage was possible. The shipwreck is remembered as a somber chapter in the early maritime history of Lake Erie.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs)

There are no active Notices to Mariners related to the American Eagle. Given the passage of time and the likely deterioration of the wreck, it is not considered a navigational hazard today.

Located By & Date

The exact location of the American Eagle’s wreck has not been documented or discovered. Historical records place it near the mouth of Grand River, Ohio.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The American Eagle is a poignant example of the challenges faced by sailors on Lake Erie in the early 19th century. Despite its service to trade and commerce, the Schooner was no match for the gale that struck on November 26, 1820. The loss of Captain Manchester and his crew underscores the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes during a time when weather forecasting and shipbuilding technologies were still in their infancy. Today, the story of the American Eagle serves as a reminder of the resilience and sacrifices of early mariners.

Keywords

#AmericanEagle #LakeErieShipwreck #Schooner #MaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipwreck #GrandRiverOhio #HistoricalShipwrecks #19thCenturyShipping #LakeErieStorms