Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bolivar
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1825
- Builder: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Dimensions: Length: 68 ft (20.7 m); Beam: 17 ft 4 in (5.3 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft 8 ½ in (1.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 60 tons
- Location: Near Presqu’ile, Canadian side, Lake Ontario
- Original Owners: Sheldon Thompson, George Miles Jr.
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Bolivar was a wooden schooner equipped with two masts, designed for freight transport across the Great Lakes. Typical of the period, it was constructed from timber, which allowed for a balance of durability and ease of repair. The Bolivar’s modest size and 60-ton capacity made it an efficient workhorse for carrying various goods, notably salt.
Description
The Bolivar launched in 1825, serving the vital Great Lakes trade routes. Over its operational life, it changed ownership multiple times, including several prominent merchants and shipping figures, Sheldon Thompson and George Miles Jr. The schooner played a crucial role in transporting essential goods, including salt, which was a primary cargo in its final voyage.
History
On its ill-fated journey in November 1839, the Bolivar departed Oswego, New York, headed for Lake Erie. A fierce storm struck as the vessel crossed Lake Ontario, forcing it aground near Presqu’ile on the Canadian side. Despite the crew’s rescue by a passing Canadian steamboat and other towing efforts, the Bolivar was never repaired. Its last registration in May 1839, in Cleveland, Ohio, suggests that it ceased operations after the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded near Presqu’ile during a November storm in 1839.
- Rescue of the crew by a passing Canadian steamboat.
- Last registration in May 1839, indicating cessation of operations.
Final Disposition
The Bolivar was grounded near Presqu’ile during a November storm in 1839 and later towed into Presque Isle. The damage rendered it beyond salvage, and no records show its return to service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known remnants of the Bolivar have been extensively documented. While its grounding site near Presqu’ile is of historical interest, the current condition of any remains is uncertain.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bolivar-1825″ title=”References & Links”]
The Bolivar remains a significant part of maritime history in the Great Lakes, representing the challenges faced by early shipping vessels in the region.
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: Bolivar
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Date Built: 1825
- Location of Build: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Dimensions: Length: 68 feet (20.7 m) Beam: 17 feet 4 inches (5.3 m) Depth: 5 feet 8 ½ inches (1.7 m)
- Tonnage: 60 tons
- Final Location: Near Presqu’ile, Canadian side, Lake Ontario
- Date of Wreck: November 1839
Vessel Type Description
The Bolivar was a wooden schooner equipped with two masts, designed for freight transport across the Great Lakes. Typical of the period, it was constructed from timber, which allowed for a balance of durability and ease of repair. The Bolivar’s modest size and 60-ton capacity made it an efficient workhorse for carrying various goods, notably salt.
History
The Bolivar launched in 1825, serving the vital Great Lakes trade routes. Over its operational life, it changed ownership multiple times, including several prominent merchants and shipping figures, Sheldon Thompson and George Miles Jr. The schooner played a crucial role in transporting essential goods, including salt, which was a primary cargo in its final voyage.
On its ill-fated journey in November 1839, the Bolivar departed Oswego, New York, headed for Lake Erie. A fierce storm struck as the vessel crossed Lake Ontario, forcing it aground near Presqu’ile on the Canadian side. Despite the crew’s rescue by a passing Canadian steamboat and other towing efforts, the Bolivar was never repaired. Its last registration in May 1839, in Cleveland, Ohio, suggests that it ceased operations after the incident.
Final Disposition
The Bolivar was grounded near Presqu’ile during a November storm in 1839 and later towed into Presque Isle. The damage rendered it beyond salvage, and no records show its return to service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known remnants of the Bolivar have been extensively documented. While its grounding site near Presqu’ile is of historical interest, the current condition of any remains is uncertain.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University’s Great Lakes Vessels Database
- Great Lakes Ships Database
Suggested Keywords Bolivar, schooner, Erie Pennsylvania, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Presqu’ile, 1839 storm, salt cargo, maritime history, Great Lakes.
The Bolivar was a schooner constructed in 1825 at Erie, Pennsylvania. Made of wood, the vessel measured 68 feet in length, 17 feet 4 inches in width, and had a depth of 5 feet 8 1/2 inches. It featured two masts and had a gross tonnage of 60. bolivar 1839-11-14 07:48:00