Mautenee

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Mautenee
Vessel Type: Schooner
Hull Materials: Wood
Original Owner: Unknown
Final Location: 18 miles west of Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
Date of Incident: Unknown
Cause of Stranding: Ran aground
GPS Coordinates: Approx. 42°05.3’N 80°13.4’W

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Mautenee was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was widely used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners were essential to the maritime commerce of the region, as they were well-suited to the varied conditions of the Great Lakes, with their shallow drafts and ability to navigate through narrow channels and ports.

HISTORY #

The Mautenee ran aground 18 miles west of Erie, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. This type of incident was relatively common on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather, shifting sandbars, and uncharted hazards often led to vessels running aground. The exact date of the incident involving the Mautenee is not documented, and little is known about the circumstances that led to the grounding. Depending on the extent of the damage, ships that ran aground could either be salvaged and repaired or abandoned if recovery was deemed impractical.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The final fate of the Mautenee after it ran aground remains unclear. Without detailed records, it is uncertain whether the schooner was salvaged and returned to service, or if it was left to deteriorate where it grounded. Many vessels that ran aground were eventually broken up or left to decay, depending on the severity of the damage and the economic considerations of the time.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

Located by: Unknown
Date of Discovery: Unknown

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently associated with the wreck site of the Mautenee. The site is not considered a navigational hazard today.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Great Lakes Ships Database: Link
Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Link
David Swayze Shipwreck File: Link

CONCLUSION #

The Mautenee represents one of many schooners that played a crucial role in the development of the Great Lakes region. These vessels were the backbone of maritime commerce during the 19th century, facilitating the movement of goods across the inland seas of North America. While the specific details of the Mautenee’s demise remain shrouded in mystery, its story is part of the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipwrecks, illustrating the challenges and dangers faced by mariners of the time.

KEYWORDS #

Mautenee schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, maritime commerce, Erie Pennsylvania, shipwreck preservation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #

Further research into local archives, maritime records, and possibly diving expeditions could provide more details about the Mautenee and its role in Great Lakes history. Preservation and documentation of such sites are crucial for honoring the maritime heritage of the region.