The pages of maritime history are often stained with stories of vessels that faced the wrath of powerful storms on the Great Lakes. Among these tales stands the tragic narrative of the brig Concord, a vessel that encountered the unrelenting fury of Lake Erie’s waters on November 16, 1869. This account illuminates the ill-fated voyage, the valiant efforts of the crew, and the somber aftermath of this maritime disaster.
In 1847, the brig Concord was brought to life at the shipyards of Black River, Ohio, under the craftsmanship of J. Lum (W. S. Lyons). With its two masts and wood construction, the vessel was destined for a life navigating the waters of the Great Lakes. Measuring 115x24x9 feet, the Concord had a tonnage of 194 tons and was owned by H. N. Gates & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.
November 16, 1869, would forever etch itself into the annals of maritime history as a day of tragedy on Lake Erie. The Concord, laden with coal, found itself ensnared in the clutches of a ferocious storm while journeying toward its destination. The vessel, driven by the tempest’s force, was thrust into shallow waters, where it succumbed to the tumultuous waves and sank beneath the surface.
As the storm raged on, the crew of the Concord grappled with the forces of nature. Despite their valiant efforts, the vessel’s predicament grew dire. In the midst of the tempest, the crew clung to the rigging for their lives, battling the waves and the bitter cold. For two days and nights, three crewmen clung to the masthead, their bodies battered and their strength waning.
In their hour of desperation, the crew’s fortunes took an unexpected turn. The propeller Bruno emerged on the scene, rescuing the three crewmen who had managed to cling to the rigging for an astonishing 48 hours. Although battered and half-frozen, these survivors were pulled from the brink of disaster.
Amid the storm’s fury, tragedy had already struck. Out of the eight crew members aboard the Concord, only three managed to escape the vessel’s clutches. Five souls were lost to Lake Erie’s relentless waves. The vessel’s master, Capt. McPeel, and four other crew members met their watery grave, leaving a trail of grief and sorrow in their wake.
The tale of the brig Concord is a poignant reminder of the perils that mariners faced on the Great Lakes. In the face of a merciless storm, the crew’s struggle for survival and the valiant efforts of the propeller Bruno highlight the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. As we reflect on the events of that fateful day in 1869, we pay tribute to the memory of those who perished and honor the resilience of those who braved the treacherous waters of Lake Erie.
