Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Guerriere
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1827
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: Not specified; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not known
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Guerriere was a schooner operating in the early decades of American Great Lakes commerce. Schooners like this were vital for regional transport before the widespread use of steam-powered vessels. Her rig would have made her efficient for both cargo and passenger movement.
Description
The Guerriere was a wooden two-masted schooner, assumed to be designed for both cargo and passenger transport. The vessel was registered under the United States flag.
History
On May 29, 1832, the Guerriere was en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit, Michigan. During this voyage, the schooner encountered a sudden squall—common and treacherous on Lake Erie. The vessel capsized under the force of the storm.
Tragically, five passengers—a mother and her four children—were lost in the incident. Captain Stanard and the remaining crew survived, although further details about their rescue or the wreck’s aftermath are unclear.
Significant Incidents
- May 29, 1832: The Guerriere capsized during a sudden squall on Lake Erie, resulting in the loss of five passengers.
Final Disposition
The schooner sank in Lake Erie. No verified discovery of the wreck has been confirmed to date. Like many early losses, her final resting place may be undocumented or misattributed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Guerriere remains unknown, as the wreck has not been located. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”guerriere-1827″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The story of the Guerriere serves as a reminder of the perils faced by early Great Lakes vessels. As divers, we must honor these historical sites and ensure we leave only bubbles and take only memories.
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.
WRECK SUMMARY
- Type: Schooner
- Length: Not specified
- Loss of Life: 5 (a mother and four children from the same family)
- Location: Lake Erie
- GPS: Not known
- Depth: Unknown
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Guerriere
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner (assumed)
- Built: 1827
- Flag/Registry: United States
- Final Voyage: May 29, 1832
- Route: Cleveland to Detroit
- Final Resting Place: Lake Erie (exact location undetermined)
- Casualties: 5 passengers (a mother and four children from the same family)
- Crew: Survived
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Guerriere was a schooner operating in the early decades of American Great Lakes commerce. Schooners like this were vital for regional transport before the widespread use of steam-powered vessels. Her rig would have made her efficient for both cargo and passenger movement.
HISTORY
On May 29, 1832, the Guerriere was en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit, Michigan. During this voyage, the schooner encountered a sudden squall—common and treacherous on Lake Erie. The vessel capsized under the force of the storm.
Tragically, five passengers—a mother and her four children—were lost in the incident. Captain Stanard and the remaining crew survived, although further details about their rescue or the wreck’s aftermath are unclear.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The schooner sank in Lake Erie. No verified discovery of the wreck has been confirmed to date. Like many early losses, her final resting place may be undocumented or misattributed.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Historical Vessels
- GreatLakesShips.org