The Fate of the Schooner Bolivar: A Stormy End on Lake Ontario #
The Bolivar was a wooden schooner that met its tragic end during a fierce storm on Lake Ontario. Built in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1825, this vessel had a history of trading on the Great Lakes. On a fateful journey from Oswego to Lake Erie in November 1839, the Bolivar ran aground on the Canadian side near Presqu’ile. Although the crew was rescued by a Canadian steamer, the vessel sustained significant damage and was towed into Presque Isle. There is no evidence that the Bolivar sailed again after this incident. This article explores the construction and specifications of the Bolivar, its ownership history, the circumstances surrounding its loss, and its final fate.
Construction and Specifications:
The Bolivar was a schooner constructed in 1825 at Erie, Pennsylvania. Made of wood, the vessel measured 68 feet in length, 17 feet 4 inches in width, and had a depth of 5 feet 8 1/2 inches. It featured two masts and had a gross tonnage of 60.
Ownership History:
Over the years, the ownership of the Bolivar changed hands several times. Some of the registered owners included Sheldon Thompson, George Miles Jr., Charles Townsend, George Coit, John L. Kimberly, Noble H. Merwin, and Charles M. Giddings.
Loss and Final Fate:
In November 1839, while bound from Oswego to Lake Erie carrying a cargo of salt, the Bolivar encountered a violent storm on Lake Ontario. The vessel was driven aground on the Canadian side near Presqu’ile. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by a Canadian steamboat, and the damaged schooner was towed into Presque Isle. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the Bolivar was repaired or sailed again. Its final known registration was in May 1839 in Cleveland.
The Bolivar, a wooden schooner built in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1825, fell victim to a fierce storm on Lake Ontario in November 1839. The vessel ran aground near Presqu’ile while carrying a cargo of salt from Oswego to Lake Erie. Despite the crew’s rescue by a Canadian steamer and the vessel being towed into Presque Isle, there is no evidence that the Bolivar returned to service. Its last known registration was in Cleveland in May 1839. The fate of the Bolivar serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and perilous conditions faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
