History
The Andes, a vessel with a rich history on the Great Lakes, underwent significant changes throughout its years of service. Originally launched as a brigantine in 1847, it later experienced a transformation into a schooner. This narrative explores the construction, ownership, notable incidents, and final tragic fate of the Andes as it sailed the waters of Lake Erie.
In 1847, the brigantine Andes was built by J. P. Arnold in Toledo, Ohio, for owners Lewis, Beardsley & Fitch. With a length of 122 feet, a beam of 24 feet, and a depth of 9.5 feet, the wooden vessel boasted a tonnage of approximately 269 tons. Its purpose was to facilitate trade between Toledo and Oswego, New York.
Throughout its early years, the Andes faced numerous challenges. It suffered several incidents, including grounding near Sackets Harbor and a subsequent repair. In 1853, while carrying a cargo of corn from Chicago to Buffalo, it ran aground near the east pier in Cleveland, resulting in the loss of 11,500 bushels of corn. The vessel changed ownership and underwent re-enrollment in different ports, including Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo again.
In 1867, disaster struck when the Andes was dismasted. Despite the setback, the vessel was rebuilt, and its rigging was transformed into that of a schooner. Under new ownership, the Andes embarked on its renewed journey, leaving Detroit to resume its duties on the Great Lakes.
On October 24, 1868, while bound from Detroit to Buffalo carrying 16,000 bushels of wheat, the Andes encountered a fierce storm. The vessel sprung a leak and quickly sank in deep waters off Madison, Ohio. Fortunately, the crew members were rescued, sparing their lives from the untimely fate that befell their ship. It is worth noting that the sinking occurred in the same vicinity where the ship Mary Williams had met a similar end.
The sinking of the Andes marked a tragic end to its journey on the Great Lakes. Captain J. B. Scott, who owned the vessel at the time, had reportedly lost three additional schooners in the same area in previous years. The Andes serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of the waters they navigated.
The story of the Andes is one of transformation and tragedy. From its construction as a brigantine to its subsequent rebuilding and conversion into a schooner, the vessel experienced many twists and turns throughout its years of service. Ultimately, the sinking of the Andes in Lake Erie serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by sailors and the unpredictable forces of nature that can claim even the sturdiest of ships.
