Shipwreck Report: Schooner COLUMBIA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: COLUMBIA

• Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

• Builder: James Pickering, Sackets Harbor, NY

• Year Built: 1844

• Dimensions:

• Length: 99 feet (30.2 meters)

• Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters)

• Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

• Tonnage: 165 tons

• Final Voyage: Fall of 1880

• Wreck Location: Near Harrisville, Michigan, Lake Huron

• Current Condition: Total Loss; presumed scattered wreckage

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The COLUMBIA was a wooden-hulled Schooner designed for both passenger and freight trade. Schooners of this type were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, prized for their versatility and efficiency in transporting goods and people across the vast inland waterways.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Promise

Built in 1844 by shipbuilder James Pickering, the COLUMBIA was initially seen as a vessel of great promise. Designed to traverse the Great Lakes and support the burgeoning trade routes, it combined a sturdy wooden Hull with a simple yet effective two-masted rigging system. The vessel’s primary mission was to operate as a reliable link for passenger and freight transport across the upper lakes.

Tragedy on the Welland Canal

The vessel’s inaugural journey to navigate the Welland Canal ended in tragedy. Under the command of its builder, Captain James Pickering, the Schooner was found to be an inch too long to pass through the canal locks. Overwhelmed by this devastating setback, Captain Pickering tragically took his own life at Lock No. 8. This event cast a shadow over the vessel’s future and left a grieving family behind.

Operational Challenges

Over the decades, the COLUMBIA endured multiple ownership changes and operational challenges:

• 1860: The vessel was Rebuilt, reflecting its owners’ efforts to keep it seaworthy.

• 1871: The Schooner was outfitted with a new Deck to extend its operational life.

Despite these efforts, the COLUMBIA faced recurring misfortunes, reflecting the harsh realities of life on the Great Lakes.

FINAL VOYAGE AND LOSS

In the fall of 1880, the COLUMBIA embarked on its final voyage on Lake Huron. Details surrounding this journey remain sparse, but a fierce storm struck the vessel near Harrisville, Michigan, sealing its fate. The Schooner was overwhelmed by the storm’s intensity, leading to its destruction and subsequent wreck.

• Casualties: The number of lives lost, if any, is unrecorded.

• Financial Loss: The Schooner and its cargo were likely rendered unrecoverable, adding to the legacy of misfortune that had haunted the vessel throughout its existence.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreckage of the COLUMBIA has not been definitively located or documented. It is presumed that the remains lie scattered on the lakebed near Harrisville, Michigan. The vessel’s history and the tragic events associated with it continue to intrigue maritime historians.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the COLUMBIA.

• Mariners in the area near Harrisville should be cautious of submerged hazards associated with historical wrecks.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Explore shipwreck records and detailed vessel histories.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive archive of Great Lakes shipwrecks and associated tragedies.

• Local Historical Societies: Insights into the Harrisville area and its maritime heritage.

CONCLUSION

The story of the Schooner COLUMBIA is a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history. From its promising construction to its final destruction, the vessel’s journey was marked by misfortune and tragedy. Its thwarted attempt to navigate the Welland Canal, the loss of its builder, and its ultimate demise in a storm highlight the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners. The COLUMBIA’s legacy endures as a somber reminder of the sacrifices and resilience of those who sailed the Great Lakes.

KEYWORDS

#ColumbiaShipwreck #GreatLakesSchooner #LakeHuron #MaritimeHistory #WellandCanalTragedy #HarrisvilleMI #19thCenturyShipping

If you wish to explore further details, potential wreck site maps, or historical documents, feel free to request additional insights!