Identification & Site Information – Barkentine De Soto

• Vessel Name: De Soto

• Type: Barkentine (Barque-rigged sailing vessel)

• Year Built: 1856

• Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio

• Owner: R.K. Winslow (listed as Winsloe in some records)

• Dimensions:

• Keel Length: 160 feet 98-100 inches

• Beam (Width): 33 feet 6-10 inches

• Hold Depth: 11 feet 72-1000 inches

• Tonnage: 583 69-95 tons

• Designated Role: Grain-carrying trade on the Great Lakes

• Final Disposition: Listed as lost in the 1875 Merchant Vessel of the United States (MVUS) records

Vessel Type Description

The De Soto was a Barkentine, a type of Barque-rigged sailing vessel designed to maximize cargo capacity while retaining navigational efficiency. This rigging, which included square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the remaining masts, made it well-suited for the long hauls required in Great Lakes grain transport. Known for its sturdy build and attractive design, the De Soto was praised for being a staunch vessel with a high load capacity.

History

Launched in 1856 from the Cleveland yard of Peck & Masters, the De Soto was constructed under the supervision of Captain B.A. Stannard, with a total building cost of approximately $25,000. Built specifically for the grain trade, the vessel was capable of carrying 25,000 bushels of wheat or 27,000 bushels of corn, a substantial load for its time. This capacity made it ideal for the agricultural economy of the Great Lakes region, where grain transportation to market ports was in high demand.

The De Soto was captained by Alfred Davis, a seasoned mariner with a lengthy career sailing out of Cleveland. The vessel’s construction quality earned it an A1 classification in the 1860 Lake Vessel Register, indicating top status for both condition and service potential. In 1860, the De Soto was valued at $16,000, reflecting its robust design and importance to the trade.

Final Disposition

The De Soto is recorded as lost in the 1875 Merchant Vessel of the United States (MVUS) records. The specific details of its sinking, such as the cause or exact location, are not provided in the available documentation. Given the vessel’s grain-carrying role and the often harsh conditions on the Great Lakes, potential causes for its loss could include severe weather, structural failure under heavy cargo, or collision.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The De Soto represents the robust grain trade that defined much of the Great Lakes shipping industry in the mid-19th century. As a large, well-crafted Barkentine, the vessel was integral in transporting agricultural products, particularly grain, from the productive inland areas of the Great Lakes to major port cities. Its classification as A1 and the investment made in its construction underscore its value to its owners and the trade economy it served.

The loss of the De Soto in 1875 adds it to the long list of commercial vessels that were lost to the unpredictable and often unforgiving conditions of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s history serves as a testament to the shipbuilders, crew, and captains who contributed to the Great Lakes’ economic expansion during this era.

Resources & Links

For additional research on the De Soto and similar vessels:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks (Maritime History of the Great Lakes)

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Information on historical ship specifications and records for vessels like the De Soto

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records detailing ship losses on the Great Lakes, potentially including details on the De Soto