IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: The ADA was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used during the 19th century on the Great Lakes. Schooners were known for their speed and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting goods across the vast lakes. The ADA was constructed using wood, a typical material for shipbuilding at that time, and had a single deck.
HISTORY: The ADA was launched in 1852 from Sand Beach, Michigan, contributing to the bustling maritime activity on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Despite the vessel’s potential and the important role it likely played in trade and transportation, detailed records of its operations, ownership, and specific voyages remain scarce.
Tragically, the ADA’s service was abruptly ended on December 24, 1859, when it foundered in Lake Huron near Lakeport, Michigan. The exact circumstances of the sinking are not well-documented, leaving many questions about what led to the vessel’s demise.
Lake Huron, known for its unpredictable weather and rough waters, has been the final resting place for many ships. The ADA became one of the many vessels lost to the lake, her sinking contributing to the broader narrative of maritime challenges faced on the Great Lakes.
FINAL DISPOSITION: The ADA sank in Lake Huron off the coast of Lakeport, Michigan. Due to the limited information and lack of specific details, the exact location of the wreck remains unknown, and there is no record of recovery or exploration efforts related to the ADA. The vessel’s final resting place remains one of the many mysteries beneath the waters of Lake Huron.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories currently associated with the wreck of the ADA.
LOCATED BY & DATE: There is no record of the wreck’s location being identified or explored. The exact coordinates and depth of the wreck remain undiscovered.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: Given the lack of information and the age of the wreck, the current condition of the ADA is unknown. It is likely that any remains of the vessel have deteriorated significantly, if they have survived at all.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
KEYWORDS: ADA, ADDA, Schooner, Lake Huron, Shipwreck, Sand Beach Michigan, Great Lakes, Maritime History
CONCLUSION: The ADA serves as a reminder of the many vessels that plied the waters of the Great Lakes during the 19th century, often facing unpredictable and hazardous conditions. While little is known about the ship’s operational history, the ADA’s sinking adds to the rich tapestry of maritime history in the Great Lakes region. The lack of precise information about the wreck’s location continues to leave the final chapter of the ADA’s story shrouded in mystery.
