Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A. R. COBB
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1844
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Chicago Harbour, Illinois
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner
Description
Description
The A. R. COBB was a wooden schooner constructed in 1844. Details about her size and tonnage are not preserved in current records. Schooners of this era typically measured between 60 and 100 feet (18 to 30 metres) in length and were designed to carry general cargo across the Great Lakes. The vessel had served for over a decade before her loss.
History
History
The A. R. COBB was actively engaged in the timber trade and was inbound to Chicago from Green Bay on her final voyage, carrying a full load of lumber. Like many wooden schooners of the time, she played a role in supplying materials for the booming construction markets along the southern end of Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
Final Disposition
On October 13, 1856, while attempting to enter Chicago harbour during a storm, the A. R. COBB was blown past the mouth of the Chicago River. Efforts to tack back into position failed due to adverse wind and wave conditions. She eventually grounded on a sandbar in the harbour and was battered by the surf. The vessel was declared a total loss. There were no reports of casualties.
Final Disposition
Located By & Date Found
There are no confirmed records of the wreck being located or documented through modern surveys.
Current Condition & Accessibility
NOTMARs & Advisories
No navigational notices to mariners or official advisories are connected with this wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-r-cobb-1844″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Conclusion
The wreck of the A. R. COBB illustrates the vulnerability of schooner traffic to sudden weather shifts, especially near port entrances such as the Chicago River mouth. Though she has not been rediscovered, her grounding is consistent with many pre-1870 losses along the shifting sandbars of Chicago’s early harbour system. Continued research into archival sources may yet reveal more about her operational history and final voyage.
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: A. R. COBB
- Former Names: None recorded
- Registration Number(s): Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1844
- Measurements including Rebuilds: Not specified
- Date Lost, Destroyed, Abandoned: October 13, 1856
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner
Description
The A. R. COBB was a wooden schooner constructed in 1844. Details about her size and tonnage are not preserved in current records. Schooners of this era typically measured between 60 and 100 feet (18 to 30 metres) in length and were designed to carry general cargo across the Great Lakes. The vessel had served for over a decade before her loss.
History
The A. R. COBB was actively engaged in the timber trade and was inbound to Chicago from Green Bay on her final voyage, carrying a full load of lumber. Like many wooden schooners of the time, she played a role in supplying materials for the booming construction markets along the southern end of Lake Michigan.
Final Disposition
On October 13, 1856, while attempting to enter Chicago harbour during a storm, the A. R. COBB was blown past the mouth of the Chicago River. Efforts to tack back into position failed due to adverse wind and wave conditions. She eventually grounded on a sandbar in the harbour and was battered by the surf. The vessel was declared a total loss. There were no reports of casualties.
Located By & Date Found
There are no confirmed records of the wreck being located or documented through modern surveys.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No navigational notices to mariners or official advisories are connected with this wreck.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/c/
Conclusion
The wreck of the A. R. COBB illustrates the vulnerability of schooner traffic to sudden weather shifts, especially near port entrances such as the Chicago River mouth. Though she has not been rediscovered, her grounding is consistent with many pre-1870 losses along the shifting sandbars of Chicago’s early harbour system. Continued research into archival sources may yet reveal more about her operational history and final voyage.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: A. R. COBB, Chicago River mouth, Green Bay schooner, Lake Michigan, 1856 shipwreck
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Incidents, Wooden Schooners, Lake Michigan Groundings