Shipwreck Profile: Trade Wind

Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Trade Wind
• Registry: U.S.
• Vessel Type: Barkentine
• Year Built: 1853
• Year Sank: 1854
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engines: None (sail-powered vessel)

Dimensions

• Length: 140 ft (42.67 m)
• Width: Not documented
• Depth: Not documented
• Vessel History

The Trade Wind was a wooden Barkentine, a sailing vessel with three masts: square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged on the main and mizzen masts. Barkentines were versatile ships, used extensively for cargo transport due to their efficient sail plan and manageable crew requirements.

Built in 1853, the Trade Wind was active on the Great Lakes for just one year before sinking in 1854. It reportedly sank in Lake Erie following a collision that caused damage to the starboard side of the vessel. Though its operational history was brief, the wreck is significant as it offers a snapshot of mid-19th century shipbuilding and commerce on the Great Lakes.

For additional historical information:

• Great Lakes Historical Society Record
• Shipwreck World – Trade Wind
• 3DShipwrecks – Trade Wind

Wreck Site Information

• Lake: Lake Erie
• State/Province: Ontario
• Depth: 120 ft (36.58 m)
• GPS Coordinates: 42° 25.516′ N, 080° 12.056′ W

3D Model – Trade Wind

Trade Wind by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Site Description:

The wreck of the Trade Wind lies at 120 ft (36.58 m) in Lake Erie, partially buried in the lakebed, as is common for Lake Erie shipwrecks.

• Hull: Relatively intact but deeply embedded in the sediment.
• Deck Features and Artifacts:
• Masts and Spars: Scattered across the Deck and alongside the wreck.
• Windlass, Anchors, and Catheads: Extant and visible.
• Capstan and Centerboard Winch: Still present on the site.
• Cabin Structure: Remnants visible near the Stern.
• Rudder and Ship’s Wheel: Intact and located on site.
• Cargo: Includes stoves and railroad rails, which remain on the Deck and within the hold but are mostly buried in silt.
• Collision Damage: Evident on the starboard side, confirming the reported cause of the sinking.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

At a depth of 120 ft (36.58 m), the wreck is suitable for advanced divers trained in deep wreck exploration.

• Visibility:

Lake Erie is known for variable Visibility; conditions may be influenced by silt and sediment in the water.

• Preservation Status:

The site is protected under Ontario heritage laws. Divers are encouraged legally to observe but not disturb or remove artifacts.

Site Significance

The wreck of the Trade Wind offers a rare example of a mid-19th-century Barkentine preserved in the cold waters of Lake Erie. The presence of cargo such as railroad rails highlights the role of sailing vessels in supporting the industrial growth of the Great Lakes region. Its relatively intact Hull and preserved artifacts make it a valuable site for maritime archaeology and diving exploration.

Keywords:

#Trade Wind shipwreck, #Lake Erie wrecks, #Barkentine vessels, #19th-century cargo ships, #Great Lakes shipwrecks, #advanced diving.