ALLEGHANY (1849)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name: ALLEGHANY
Type: Wooden Brig
Date of Incident: September 12, 1855
Location: Clay Banks, North Side of Lake Erie
Coordinates: Not specifically documented
Depth: Approximately 36 feet (6 fathoms)
Condition: The ALLEGHANY sank rapidly after a collision with the schooner YOUNG AMERICA and is considered a total loss. The wreck remains were subject to salvage operations.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The ALLEGHANY was a wooden brig with two masts, built before 1849. The vessel was primarily engaged in maritime trade on Lake Erie, operating as part of the Collingwood Line of steamers. The brig had a reported tonnage of 255 tons and was commonly used for transporting bulk cargoes such as coal.

HISTORY #

The ALLEGHANY had a notable career on Lake Erie, contributing to the maritime trade routes of the mid-19th century. Though the exact year of its construction is unknown, the brig was already an established vessel by 1849. It was owned by General C.M. Reed of Erie, Pennsylvania, a significant figure in the shipping industry of the time.

September 12, 1855: While sailing off Clay Banks on the north side of Lake Erie, the ALLEGHANY was bound for Mackinaw from Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying a cargo of 352 tons of coal. During this voyage, the brig collided with the schooner YOUNG AMERICA, which was en route from Chicago to Buffalo with a cargo of corn. The collision caused significant damage, leading to the rapid sinking of the ALLEGHANY in six fathoms (approximately 36 feet) of water.
Salvage Efforts: Following the sinking, salvagers attempted to recover the wreck throughout October 1855. The extent of the salvage operation is not well documented, but the vessel was deemed a total loss. The total property loss was estimated at $6,500, with an additional $1,500 in cargo value.
YOUNG AMERICA: The schooner YOUNG AMERICA also sustained damage in the collision, particularly to its forward section. It was subsequently taken to Malden for repairs.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The ALLEGHANY was declared a total loss after sinking in Lake Erie following the collision with the YOUNG AMERICA. The wreck remains were partially salvaged, but the vessel was never recovered in full. The wreck likely remains on the lakebed at a depth of approximately 36 feet near Clay Banks.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. Mariners should be aware of the general area, but the wreck does not pose a significant hazard to navigation due to its depth and the passage of time.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the ALLEGHANY was reported shortly after its sinking on September 12, 1855. Salvage operations were undertaken in October 1855, but the brig was declared a total loss.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The condition of the ALLEGHANY‘s wreck is unknown, but given the time elapsed since the sinking, it is likely that the remains have deteriorated significantly. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 36 feet, making it accessible to divers, though the site may offer limited visibility and structural integrity due to its age and potential salvage efforts.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime logs, and newspaper archives.
Further Reading:

CONCLUSION #

The ALLEGHANY brig represents the challenges and risks associated with maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. The vessel’s tragic collision with the YOUNG AMERICA underscores the dangers of navigation in the often treacherous waters of Lake Erie. The loss of the ALLEGHANY and its cargo serves as a historical reminder of the perils faced by ships and their crews during this era of Great Lakes shipping.