Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: ADDA
• Official Number: 1548
• Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
• Year Built: 1857
• Builder: Herrick & Hayes, Fairport, Ohio
• Material: Wood
• Decks: One
• Tonnage: 109.76 tons (old style measurement)
• Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie
• Final Disposition: Wrecked on August 28, 1872

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ADDA was a flat-bottomed scow schooner designed for navigating shallow waters, making it ideal for Great Lakes and inland waterway operations. Equipped with two masts and a single deck, the vessel was primarily used for transporting bulk cargo such as lumber. Scow schooners like the ADDA were crucial to the mid-19th century cargo trade on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

• Built in 1857 by Herrick & Hayes of Fairport, Ohio, for M.B. & L. Butler of Fairport.
• Constructed from wood, the schooner was designed for the growing cargo trade on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie.
• 1863: Owned by L.B. Coates of Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1866: Sold to owners in Saugatuck, Michigan.
• 1868: Transferred to owners in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1871: Final ownership by George Halvorson.
• April 1859: Struck the Cleveland West pier, causing damage.
• May 1861: Ran aground in Pigeon Bay, Ontario.
• October 1862: Grounded near Cleveland, Ohio, but was freed and returned to service.

Significant Achievement:

In June 1859, the ADDA became the first vessel to transport lumber directly from the western United States to New England without transshipment. The cargo, which included walnut, cherry, and whitewood lumber, was shipped from Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Providence, Rhode Island. This marked a milestone in Great Lakes shipping and highlighted the increasing importance of direct trade routes.

FINAL VOYAGE AND WRECK

On August 28, 1872, the ADDA was wrecked under unclear circumstances. The details of the incident remain undocumented, and the exact location of the wreck is unknown. The loss marked the end of the schooner’s 15-year service on the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ADDA was declared a total loss after the wreck in 1872. The lack of documentation leaves the vessel’s remains shrouded in mystery, with no recorded recovery or exploration.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of the ADDA.
• The site, if known, does not pose a significant navigational hazard.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ADDA has not been formally located or explored. Its precise location and condition remain unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the time elapsed since its sinking, it is likely that little remains of the ADDA. Any surviving wreckage may have deteriorated significantly or become buried under sediment.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

KEYWORDS•ADDA•Great Lakes Shipwrecks•Scow Schooner•Lake Erie•Fairport, Ohio•Cleveland, Ohio•Saugatuck, Michigan•Chicago, Illinois•19th Century Shipping

CONCLUSION

The ADDA was a typical example of a scow schooner, designed for efficient cargo transportation on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Despite numerous incidents, the vessel played a significant role in pioneering direct shipping routes, such as its landmark lumber transport in 1859. Its ultimate loss in 1872 underscores the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during this era. The story of the ADDA remains a valuable chapter in the maritime history of the region, reflecting both the achievements and the hazards of 19th-century shipping.

adda-us-1548 1872-08-28 07:51:00