IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The CATARACT was a steam-powered propeller ship, a type of vessel that became increasingly common on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century due to its efficiency and reliability. With a wooden hull, the CATARACT was designed for the transportation of general merchandise across Lake Erie, contributing to the burgeoning commerce of the region. The ship’s propulsion system, relying on a propeller driven by steam, was a significant advancement over earlier sail-driven vessels, allowing for more predictable and consistent travel times.
HISTORY
The CATARACT was constructed in 1852 by the shipbuilder B.B. Jones in Buffalo, New York, a prominent shipbuilding center during this period. With a length of 150 feet and a tonnage of over 350 tons, the CATARACT was a substantial vessel, well-suited to the transportation of goods across the often turbulent waters of Lake Erie.
Throughout her nearly decade-long service, the CATARACT played a vital role in moving merchandise between ports on Lake Erie. However, her operational history was not without incident. In 1855, the CATARACT reportedly stranded in a fog on the Fox Islands in Lake Michigan, though details of this event are scarce. In 1860, the vessel underwent significant repairs, an indication of her hard use and the wear and tear typical of Great Lakes shipping during this era.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The CATARACT met a tragic and fiery end on June 16, 1861. While sailing approximately five miles off the coast of Erie, Pennsylvania, the ship caught fire under its boiler. The cause of the fire is believed to have been a leak of alcohol from the cargo, which quickly ignited and spread to the ship’s stern. The inferno engulfed the vessel within minutes, leaving the crew with little time to react.
Despite the fire, the crew managed to launch one of the ship’s small boats, though they were unable to escape in the larger boat due to the intense flames. Fortunately, the schooner ST. PAUL, along with a nearby fishing boat, came to their rescue, saving Captain William H. McNally and several others. The wreck of the CATARACT was later towed into Misery Bay by the tug BROOKS, where it was scuttled. The ship was never rebuilt, marking the end of her service on the Great Lakes.
Interestingly, Captain Mosher of the ST. PAUL, who played a key role in the rescue, had previously saved Captain McNally and the ship’s carpenter when the propeller INDIANA was lost on Lake Superior in 1858. This remarkable coincidence highlights the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes and the close-knit nature of the maritime community during this period.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the CATARACT. The site, being in Misery Bay and scuttled, may not be actively marked or preserved, though local interest in the wreck could lead to periodic surveys or dives.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The CATARACT’s wreck was scuttled in Misery Bay following its fire in 1861. The exact location of the wreck remains part of local maritime lore, but specific coordinates are not readily available. Modern efforts to locate the wreck might involve side-scan sonar and other archaeological methods, though it is unclear if any such surveys have been conducted.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Erie Maritime Museum
- Historical Newspapers Archive – Search for contemporary reports on the CATARACT’s fire and scuttling.
- Wreck Site Database – For additional details on the CATARACT and other Great Lakes shipwrecks.
CONCLUSION
The story of the propeller CATARACT is a sobering reminder of the dangers that accompanied maritime trade on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. From her construction in Buffalo to her final fiery demise off Erie, PA, the CATARACT served as a workhorse of the Great Lakes, contributing to the flow of goods that fueled the economy of the region. Despite her tragic end, the CATARACT’s legacy lives on in the records and memories of those who sailed the lakes, a testament to the challenges and triumphs of life on these vast inland seas.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Propeller Ships, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, 19th Century Shipping, Ship Fire, Buffalo NY, Erie PA, Frank Perew, Captain William H. McNally
