Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Canoppus(1855)

Explore the wreck of the Canopus, a wooden brigantine that sank in Lake Erie after a collision in 1865. A site rich in maritime history awaits divers.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Canopus
  • Type: Wooden Two-Masted Brigantine
  • Year Built: 1855
  • Builder: F.D. Ketchum
  • Dimensions: Length: 136 ft (41.5 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 386 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 12.8 m / 42 ft
  • Location: Off Claybanks, Lake Erie
  • Original Owners: Munn & Scott
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Canopus was a wooden two-masted brigantine, designed for carrying bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes. Its construction and design were typical of mid-19th century vessels, emphasizing both functionality and durability.

Description

The Canopus was built in 1855 by F.D. Ketchum in Huron, Ohio. With a length of 136 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 12 feet, the vessel had a tonnage of 386 tons. It was primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes, playing a significant role in the region’s shipping infrastructure.

History

The Canopus faced numerous challenges throughout its service life, including collisions and groundings. Notable incidents include a collision with the brig Champlain in August 1857 in Chicago, Illinois, and a severe gale in October 1858 on Lake Huron that resulted in the loss of its canvas and a collision with the propeller Globe in Buffalo Harbor. In September 1859, the vessel went ashore near Erie, Pennsylvania, but was rescued and repaired.

Significant Incidents

  • August 1857: Collided with the brig Champlain in Chicago, Illinois.
  • October 1858: Encountered a severe gale on Lake Huron, losing its canvas and colliding with the propeller Globe in Buffalo Harbor.
  • September 1859: Went ashore near Erie, Pennsylvania, but was rescued and repaired.

Final Disposition

The Canopus sank on June 24, 1865, after colliding with the bark Republic off Claybanks, Lake Erie. The vessel sank within 20 minutes, carrying a cargo of 16,500 bushels of wheat. Fortunately, the crew escaped in the ship’s yawl, and no lives were lost. The wreck was located two weeks later by the tug Dispatch, which recovered some equipment, but the vessel itself remains lost.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Canopus lies in approximately 7 fathoms (42 feet) of water off Claybanks, Lake Erie. The site is accessible for diving, but divers are encouraged to practice NO-TOUCH documentation methods and to leave only bubbles, taking only memories. Any garbage found should be removed to help preserve the site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”canoppus1855″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The story of the Canopus serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Its legacy reflects the resilience of the maritime community in the 19th century, and ongoing research may uncover more about its history and the circumstances of its loss.

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

  • Vessel Name: Canopus
  • Type: Wooden Two-Masted Brigantine
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 136 feet (41.5 meters)
    • Beam: 26 feet (7.9 meters)
    • Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
  • Tonnage: 386 tons
  • Construction: Built in 1855 by F.D. Ketchum in Huron, Ohio
  • Material: Wooden
  • Final Resting Place: Sunk in approximately 7 fathoms (42 feet) of water off Claybanks, Lake Erie
  • Condition: Sank following a collision on June 24, 1865
  • Accessibility: The wreck was located and some equipment recovered by the tug Dispatch two weeks after the sinking.

Construction and Early Service

The Canopus was a wooden brigantine constructed in 1855 by F.D. Ketchum in Huron, Ohio. With a length of 136 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 12 feet, the vessel had a tonnage of 386 tons. The Canopus was designed for carrying bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes, serving as a vital part of the shipping infrastructure in the region during the mid-19th century.
Throughout its service life, the Canopus faced numerous challenges, including collisions and groundings, which were common hazards for ships navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

Notable Incidents

One of the earliest significant incidents in the history of the Canopus occurred in August 1857 when the vessel collided with the brig Champlain in Chicago, Illinois, on Lake Michigan. The damage from this collision was repaired, allowing the Canopus to continue its service.
The following year, in October 1858, the Canopus encountered a severe gale on Lake Huron that resulted in the loss of its canvas. During this same storm, the brigantine collided with the propeller Globe in Buffalo Harbor, further adding to its list of maritime mishaps.
In September 1859, the Canopus went ashore and was expected to break up near Erie, Pennsylvania. However, against the odds, the vessel was rescued and underwent repairs, allowing it to return to active service.

Final Voyage and Collision

The Canopus met its tragic fate on June 24, 1865, during a collision on Lake Erie. In the early morning hours, between 3 and 4 am, the Canopus collided with the bark Republic off Claybanks. Despite efforts by the crew to save the vessel, the Canopus sank within 20 minutes of the collision in approximately 7 fathoms (42 feet) of water. The vessel was carrying a cargo of 16,500 bushels of wheat at the time, owned by Munn & Scott, a Chicago-based firm.

Fortunately, the crew of the Canopus managed to escape the sinking ship by taking refuge in the ship’s yawl. The quick actions of the crew ensured that no lives were lost in the incident, a rare piece of good fortune in an otherwise tragic event.
Two weeks after the sinking, the tug Dispatch located the wreck and recovered the outfit of the Canopus, but the vessel itself was lost to the depths of Lake Erie.

Legacy and Remembrance

The sinking of the Canopus serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Collisions, like the one that claimed the Canopus, were a frequent hazard, often leading to the loss of ships and cargoes vital to the economy of the region. The Canopus joins the ranks of many other vessels that met their end on Lake Erie, a testament to the unpredictable and perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation.

The story of the Canopus, from its construction to its final moments, reflects the challenges and resilience of the maritime community during the 19th century. Despite numerous incidents, the vessel continued to serve until its ultimate demise, leaving behind a legacy marked by both its service and its loss.

Resources & Links

Keywords
Canopus, brigantine, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Erie, Huron Ohio, Claybanks, maritime history, vessel loss, collision, shipwreck remembrance.

Ongoing Research & Monitoring

Further research into the Canopus may uncover additional details about its construction, service history, and the specific circumstances of its final voyage. Continuous monitoring of maritime history archives and shipwreck databases will ensure that any new information about the Canopus is integrated into its historical narrative.

The Canopus, a wooden two-masted brigantine, met its tragic fate in a collision on Lake Erie on June 24, 1865. Built in 1855 by F.D. Ketchum in Huron, Ohio, the Canopus had a length of 136 feet, a beam of 26 feet, a depth of 12 feet, and a tonnage of 386 tons. canoppus1855 1895-06-24 07:49:00