ALDEBARAN (1876)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name: ALDEBARAN
Type: Wooden Schooner
Date of Incident: October 2, 1876
Location: Near Amherstburg, Ontario, Lake Erie
Coordinates: Not specifically documented
Depth: Not specified; vessel grounded and later broke up on shore
Condition: The ALDEBARAN was reported as entirely broken up after being driven ashore and subjected to further damage by a storm on October 5, 1876. The wreckage was stripped and abandoned.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The ALDEBARAN was a wooden schooner built in 1852 by F.D. Ketchum in Huron, Ohio. The vessel was designed with two masts and had a gross tonnage of 251 tons. Schooners like the ALDEBARAN were common on the Great Lakes, primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as railroad ties, coal, and lumber.

HISTORY #

The ALDEBARAN was launched in 1852 and primarily operated out of Buffalo, New York. Over its 24-year career, the vessel encountered several incidents but continued to serve the Great Lakes trade routes until its demise in 1876.

1858: The ALDEBARAN grounded at Pointe Pelee Island, Lake Erie, but was successfully refloated and repaired.
1862: The vessel underwent significant repairs and rebuilding, extending its operational life.
1868: The ALDEBARAN sank off Pointe aux Barques in a fall storm but was later salvaged and repaired, returning to service.
October 2, 1876: While loading railroad ties at Coatsworth’s dock near Amherstburg, Ontario, the schooner encountered a severe storm. The gale tore the vessel loose, driving it ashore about 200 yards west of the dock.
October 5, 1876: A sou’wester storm further damaged the ALDEBARAN, breaking it up entirely. Despite efforts by the Buffalo tug H.G. Nolton to rescue the vessel, the schooner was declared a total wreck.

Ownership of the ALDEBARAN changed multiple times throughout its history. By 1871, it was owned by Farnham & Allen of Buffalo, New York. The vessel’s service was marked by resilience, surviving several incidents and being repaired multiple times until its final loss in 1876.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The ALDEBARAN was declared a total loss after grounding near Amherstburg, Ontario, and breaking up during a subsequent storm. The vessel was stripped of valuable equipment, and the wreckage was abandoned. The ALDEBARAN‘s remains are likely scattered along the shoreline, making it a difficult site for exploration.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. However, mariners and divers should exercise caution if navigating or exploring the area, as scattered wreckage may still pose hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the ALDEBARAN was documented following the storms in October 1876. The site was later inspected by salvage crews who stripped the vessel before abandoning the wreck.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the ALDEBARAN was reported as entirely broken up, with the remains likely scattered along the shoreline near Amherstburg, Ontario. The site is accessible, but the scattered and deteriorated condition of the wreck may limit the value of any exploration or diving efforts.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

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

CONCLUSION #

The ALDEBARAN schooner represents the resilience and challenges faced by vessels on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. Despite surviving multiple incidents, the vessel was ultimately lost to the unpredictable weather of Lake Erie. The ALDEBARAN‘s wreck serves as a historical reminder of the dangers inherent in Great Lakes navigation and the perseverance of the crews who sailed these waters.