The CHARTER OAK was a propeller ship that was built in 1847 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York. Originally constructed as a schooner, it was later converted into a propeller ship in 1848, possibly in Detroit. The ship had the official number “none” and did not have any other known names.
Here are the specifications of the CHARTER OAK:
- Length: 104 feet 5 inches
- Beam: 22 feet 3 1/2 inches
- Depth: 8 feet 7 1/2 inches
- Tonnage: 184 24/95 tons (old style)
On October 28, 1855, the CHARTER OAK encountered a storm near Elk Creek, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. The ship ran ashore and was wrecked, resulting in a total loss. The storm was severe, and unfortunately, all 10 crew members on board lost their lives. The ship was carrying a cargo of staves at the time of the incident.
The CHARTER OAK’s final location was off Girard, Pennsylvania, in Lake Erie. The wreck of the ship was discovered about eight miles from Elk Creek, with its stern deeply sunken and the bow about 20 feet out of the water. No bodies were recovered after the disaster.
The loss of the CHARTER OAK was reported in various newspapers, including the Buffalo Daily Republic and Buffalo Morning Express in 1855. The property loss from the sinking was estimated at $10,000.
Please note that the information provided is based on historical records and may not be exhaustive.
