IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
Name: CHICAGO
Vessel Type: Brig
Built: 1848, Ashtabula, Ohio
Dimensions: Not specified in available records
Tonnage: 257 tons
Home Port: Chicago, IL
Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie
Primary Use: Cargo transport (empty and in ballast at the time of loss)
Final Disposition: Capsized during a squall on Lake Erie on October 13, 1851, resulting in a total loss
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CHICAGO was a wooden brig, a type of two-masted sailing vessel that was commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Brigs were known for their stability and cargo capacity, making them ideal for the transportation of goods across the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. The CHICAGO, with a tonnage of 257 tons, was a significant vessel within this category, operating primarily between Buffalo and Chicago.
HISTORY #
The brig CHICAGO was constructed in 1848 in Ashtabula, Ohio, and quickly became a familiar sight on the Great Lakes. Owned by Tom Dyer of Chicago, the vessel was used primarily for cargo transport. On October 13, 1851, the CHICAGO embarked on a voyage from Buffalo to Chicago, traveling in ballast (without cargo) under the command of Captain Napier.
In the early hours of the morning, around 4:00 AM, while approximately 90 miles from Buffalo and near the middle of Lake Erie, the CHICAGO was caught in a sudden and violent squall. The storm struck with such force that the brig capsized almost immediately, giving the crew little time to respond or take action. The rapid capsizing of the vessel left the crew struggling for survival in the frigid waters of Lake Erie.
Tragically, three crew members lost their lives in the disaster. Among the deceased were:
- John Fuloch, the first mate, recently married and from Cleveland.
- W.L. Reed, the second mate, also recently married and a resident of Chicago.
- John Carver, a single man from Chicago.
Captain Napier and the surviving crew members managed to cling to the upturned hull of the CHICAGO. In a desperate attempt to stay together, they tied their clothing into a makeshift line to help pull each other out of the water and onto the wreck.
Later that day, the schooner HOME, commanded by Captain Jeffords, came upon the wreck of the CHICAGO. Captain Jeffords and his crew were able to rescue Captain Napier and the remaining crew members, who were by then near exhaustion from their ordeal.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The CHICAGO was a total loss, having sustained severe damage from the storm and subsequent capsizing. The vessel, owned by Tom Dyer, was insured for $6,000, with coverage from both the Buffalo Mutual and North Western of Oswego insurance companies. Despite the loss of the vessel, the timely rescue by the schooner HOME prevented further casualties among the surviving crew.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the CHICAGO. The wreck likely remains on the lakebed of Lake Erie, a somber reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The CHICAGO capsized and was lost in the middle of Lake Erie on October 13, 1851. The specific location of the wreck has not been documented, and it is unlikely that any significant remains have been recovered.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
CONCLUSION #
The loss of the brig CHICAGO in 1851 is a tragic chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Built in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1848, the CHICAGO served as a reliable cargo transport vessel until a sudden squall ended her career and claimed the lives of three crew members. The disaster underscores the perils of 19th-century maritime navigation on Lake Erie, where even experienced crews and sturdy vessels could be overwhelmed by the forces of nature. The swift and deadly capsizing of the CHICAGO serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who worked the Great Lakes, while the rescue of the survivors by the schooner HOME highlights the solidarity and bravery of mariners during times of crisis.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Brig, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwreck Resilience, Ashtabula Ohio, Buffalo NY, Tom Dyer, Maritime Disasters
