ISACC W NICHOLAS U13477

Identification & Site Information #

Vessel Type Description #

The Isaac W. Nicholas was a wooden-hulled schooner, primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. With a length of 137 feet and a gross tonnage of 316.69 tons, the vessel was sizable for its time and well-suited to the rigorous demands of Great Lakes shipping. It was initially enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, and later in Chicago, Illinois, reflecting its active service across different regions of the Great Lakes.

History #

The Isaac W. Nicholas had a storied history marked by a series of maritime incidents, reflecting the perilous nature of shipping on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The vessel was first enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1862 and began its service navigating these challenging waters.

Throughout its operational life, the Isaac W. Nicholas faced several incidents that tested its resilience. On November 24, 1862, the schooner grounded at Fighting Island in the Detroit River, marking the first of many such incidents. Less than a year later, on August 10, 1863, the vessel ran aground again, this time on Peach Island shoal in Lake St. Clair. Another grounding occurred on October 22, 1863, at Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron, further demonstrating the challenges the schooner faced during its service.

The Isaac W. Nicholas continued to operate, and in 1866, it was enrolled in Chicago, boasting a gross tonnage of 316.69 tons. The vessel underwent significant maintenance, including the installation of new decks in 1871, to maintain its seaworthiness.

In May 1871, the schooner was involved in a collision with the scow Enright at Cleveland, Lake Erie, highlighting the dangers of navigating the busy and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

The Isaac W. Nicholas met its final fate on October 21, 1873, when it was wrecked in Lake Erie. Reports from the Toronto Mail and Port Huron Daily Times detailed the schooner’s tragic end. While anchored in Pigeon Bay during a severe gale, the vessel struck bottom and eventually sank. The schooner was confirmed as a total loss and was reported to have been located three miles north of Point au Pelee Dummy Light.

The sinking of the Isaac W. Nicholas was a significant loss, both in terms of the vessel and its contribution to the maritime industry. The ship had served faithfully for over a decade, navigating some of the most challenging waters in North America. The exact cause of its final wreck remains a subject of historical interest, with the vessel’s history serving as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who sailed the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

Final Disposition #

• Date of Loss: October 21, 1873
• Cause of Loss: Wrecked after striking bottom in Pigeon Bay during a storm
• Crew: Not specified
• Final Location: Pigeon Bay, Lake Erie

Tags #

• Shipwreck
• Schooner
• Lake Erie
• 19th Century Vessel
• Maritime History
• Great Lakes Shipwreck
• Pigeon Bay

Conclusion #

The Isaac W. Nicholas represents a chapter in the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, exemplifying the risks and challenges faced by schooners during the 19th century. Despite the vessel’s strength and the skill of its crew, it ultimately succumbed to the harsh conditions that often characterized Great Lakes shipping. The wreck of the Isaac W. Nicholasremains a significant historical site, reminding us of the dangers that mariners endured in the pursuit of trade and commerce across these vast inland seas.

Resources & Links #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University