Agate (1850)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Agate
• Type: Sloop Vessel
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Unknown (Buffalo, New York)
• Dimensions: Length: 40 ft (12.2 m); Beam: 13 ft (4.0 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Presque Isle Point, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Original Owners: Robert A. Richardson, Samuel F. Leopold, Henry F. Todd
• Number of Masts: One Mast

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Agate was a small, single-mast sloop, characteristic of mid-19th-century trade vessels on the Great Lakes. Its design prioritized simplicity and adaptability, making it an ideal choice for short-haul cargo transport and coastal trading. Constructed with a wooden hull and a decorative figurehead, the Agate combined practical function with subtle craftsmanship. At 40 feet in length, the sloop was a modestly sized vessel that contributed to the efficient movement of goods like grain across the region.

Description

The Agate had a service life marked by resilience and repeated adversity:

• 1850: Built in Buffalo, New York, for Robert A. Richardson of Detroit, Michigan.
• 1851: Ran aground in Misery Bay, Michigan, on Lake Superior, and was abandoned to insurers. Recovered and re-enrolled in Detroit under new ownership by Samuel F. Leopold in April of that year.
• 1855: Ownership transferred to Henry F. Todd of Mackinac.

History

On November 27, 1857, the Agate departed with a cargo of wheat and flour. A severe storm near Presque Isle Point, Lake Huron, drove the vessel ashore. The schooner broke apart and was declared a total loss. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The estimated property loss of $1,000 was a significant economic impact for its owners.

The loss was reported in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser on January 28, 1858, a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

The Agate was driven ashore during the storm and broke apart near Presque Isle Point, Michigan, on November 27, 1857. The cargo and vessel were both lost. The exact location of the wreck remains undocumented.

Final Disposition

The Agate was driven ashore during the storm and broke apart near Presque Isle Point, Michigan, on November 27, 1857. The cargo and vessel were both lost. The exact location of the wreck remains undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Status: There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or active advisories related to the wreck of the Agate. The wreck has not been formally located or surveyed.

Resources & Links

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The Agate exemplifies the integral role of small vessels in 19th-century Great Lakes commerce. Despite its modest size, it served as a critical link in the transportation network, enduring multiple challenges before succumbing to the storm in 1857. The story of the Agate serves as a poignant reflection on the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and their vessels, contributing to the rich maritime history of the region.