IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The ATLAS was a wooden propeller steamship, a type of vessel designed for both passenger and freight transportation. Built in Buffalo, New York, in 1851, the vessel measured 153 feet in length, 25 feet in width, and 11 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 375 tons. As a steam-powered vessel, the ATLAS utilized a propeller-driven mechanism, which was becoming increasingly popular during the mid-19th century, replacing the earlier paddlewheel designs. This allowed for more efficient and powerful navigation across the often unpredictable and challenging waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY:
The ATLAS was launched on April 12, 1851, in Buffalo, New York. It was intended to serve the burgeoning trade routes between Detroit, Michigan, and Ogdensburg, New York, via the Welland Canal. The steamship was under the command of Captain Lewis W. Bancroft and operated out of Oswego, New York. The ATLAS was designed to carry both passengers and cargo, making it a versatile vessel during a time of rapid economic expansion in the Great Lakes region.
On October 26, 1851, just months after its launch, the ATLAS encountered a severe storm while en route from Detroit to Buffalo, carrying a cargo of flour. The vessel was caught in the gale near the mouth of the Grand River, Ohio (now known as Lorain), on Lake Erie. The strong winds and heavy seas forced the ship ashore, stranding it in a location approximately 8 miles west of Grand River, Ontario. Despite the harsh conditions, no lives were lost in the incident, which was a small mercy considering the severity of the storm and the fate of the ship.
After the wreck, salvage operations were initiated to recover as much of the cargo as possible. The steamers GREAT WESTERN and FOX were dispatched to the site and managed to salvage portions of the flour cargo during November and December of 1851. However, the ATLAS itself was deemed irreparable, and the wreck was left stranded, marking the end of its brief career.
The ATLAS is a representative example of the many vessels that succumbed to the unpredictable weather and challenging navigation conditions on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The rapid loss of the ATLAS underscores the dangers that steamship crews faced during this era, where even the most modern vessels of the time could be quickly overcome by the forces of nature.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The ATLAS was stranded and declared a total loss after being blown ashore by a storm near the mouth of the Grand River, Ohio. Salvage efforts focused on recovering the cargo, but the vessel itself was abandoned and left to deteriorate on the shore.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the ATLAS. The vessel, having been stranded and lost in 1851, does not pose a navigational hazard in modern times.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The exact location of the ATLAS wreck has not been fully documented in contemporary sources, and it remains a part of the many undocumented or undiscovered wrecks on Lake Erie. The coordinates provided are approximate, based on historical records.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
CONCLUSION:
The ATLAS serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early steamships on the Great Lakes. Its short-lived career and eventual wreck illustrate the constant threat posed by the region’s treacherous weather conditions. The efforts to salvage the cargo following the wreck highlight the importance of the vessel’s role in the economic activities of the time. Although the ATLAS now rests as a forgotten wreck, its story contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history on Lake Erie.
Keywords:
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