IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CHICAGO was a wooden sidewheel steamer, a type of steamship characterized by large paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the vessel. These steamers were widely used in the early 19th century for both passenger and freight transport, particularly on the Great Lakes where they served as vital links between growing towns and cities. The CHICAGO was typical of its time, designed to handle both passengers and various types of cargo, making it a versatile and essential component of Great Lakes commerce.
HISTORY #
The sidewheel steamer CHICAGO had a notably eventful and tumultuous career on the Great Lakes. Built in 1835 in St. Joseph, Michigan, the vessel operated as a passenger and package freight ship on Lake Erie, a vital transportation route during that period. However, the CHICAGO’s career was marred by frequent encounters with storms, accidents, and misfortunes that eventually led to its abandonment.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on November 18, 1842, when the CHICAGO found itself in distress while anchored off Erie, Pennsylvania. The ship raised distress signals after enduring two days and nights of adverse weather conditions, hoping for assistance from nearby vessels or shore-based rescue teams. Unfortunately, the severe weather made it impossible for any relief efforts to reach the steamer. By the following morning, the CHICAGO had vanished, leading to widespread speculation about its fate.
Despite the initial fears that the CHICAGO had been lost, the vessel reappeared in historical records. It was discovered that the steamer had gone ashore at Sturgeon Point after losing its smoke stacks during the storm. Remarkably, all of the approximately 60 passengers and crew members aboard were rescued. The vessel, though severely damaged, was beached, and there were efforts to salvage both the ship and its cargo. However, the CHICAGO’s condition was such that its prospects for continued service began to wane.
In the years that followed, the CHICAGO faced additional challenges and damage, further diminishing its viability as a working vessel. By 1846, the steamer was officially abandoned, deemed no longer fit for service after enduring numerous accidents and the relentless wear of maritime life on the Great Lakes. The once-promising career of the CHICAGO came to a premature end, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and misfortune.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
After suffering extensive damage and multiple accidents, the CHICAGO was officially abandoned in 1846. The vessel’s remains were left to deteriorate, a common fate for many ships that had outlived their usefulness during this period. The exact location of its final resting place is not well-documented, but the steamer’s story is preserved in maritime records, illustrating the challenges faced by early Great Lakes vessels.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the CHICAGO. The vessel was officially abandoned in 1846, and its remains have likely been lost to time or buried under the shifting sands of the Great Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The exact location of the CHICAGO’s wreck is not documented, and it is unlikely that any significant remains of the vessel have been identified. The story of the CHICAGO survives primarily through historical accounts rather than physical evidence.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- History of the Great Lakes Vol 1
- Lake Erie Shipwreck Map
CONCLUSION #
The journey of the sidewheel steamer CHICAGO is a compelling narrative of resilience in the face of relentless adversity. From its construction in 1835 to its abandonment in 1846, the CHICAGO faced numerous challenges, including severe storms and accidents that tested the mettle of its crew and passengers. The vessel’s survival of the 1842 storm, despite significant damage and the loss of its smoke stacks, serves as a testament to the courage and resourcefulness of those involved in Great Lakes maritime operations. Though ultimately abandoned, the CHICAGO’s legacy lives on in the annals of maritime history, offering a vivid illustration of the perils and triumphs of early steamship navigation on the Great Lakes.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Sidewheel Steamer, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwreck Resilience, St. Joseph Michigan, Sturgeon Point, Abandoned Ships
