- Schooner
- 30ffw
- 153ft Length
- Niagara Reef, Lake Erie
- 41 39.85 82 58.90
The CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE was a Barkentine constructed in 1863 at Manitowoc, WI. It had a single deck and was made of wood. The vessel had three masts and measured 153.4 feet in length, 30.7 feet in beam, and 12.2 feet in depth. Its tonnage was 588 tons according to the old measurement style. The ship was originally owned by Platt, Vilas, et al, based in Milwaukee, WI.
Over its history, the ownership of the CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE changed hands multiple times. In 1865, it was readmeasured and found to have a gross tonnage of 424 tons. It was owned by Bradley, Chicago, IL in 1866. The ship encountered various incidents, including running ashore in Milwaukee, WI in 1870, which resulted in it being filled with water. However, it was repaired and continued its operations.
In July 1874, the CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE sank 25 miles NNW of Fairport, OH, carrying 30,000 bushels of corn. It was later raised in July 1875. The ownership transferred to H. Hawgood of Milwaukee in 1879. The vessel underwent repairs and was enrolled in Port Huron, MI, under H.A. Hawgood of Bay City, MI in April 1883. In the same year, it was involved in a collision with the GOLDEN FLEECE in Lake Huron.
The ship faced various challenges over the years, including springing a leak and docking in Detroit, MI in October 1889. Ownership changed again in May 1893, with Hawgood and Avery of Cleveland, OH taking over. In March 1894, the CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE was enrolled in Duluth, MN, under the ownership of B.B. Inmann. It had two masts and was towed by the A.L. HOPKINS.
Lafayette Sullivan of Toledo, OH became the owner in 1898, but the vessel faced further troubles. It ran ashore near Cheboygan, MI, in April 1898 during a snowstorm. Tragically, on November 21, 1900, the CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE was wrecked on Niagara Reef in Lake Erie while carrying iron ore. The ship struck the reef during a gale and subsequently broke apart. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the steamer J.K. SECOR.
The history of the CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE includes various incidents, repairs, ownership changes, and a colorful narrative of its journey on the Great Lakes. Its final demise marked the end of its seafaring days, leaving behind a legacy in the maritime history of the region.
