Iowa (pre-1840)

Explore the wreck of the IOWA, a wooden schooner lost in a collision on Lake Erie in 1840, with no loss of life reported.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: IOWA
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Approximately 9.7 kilometres (6 miles) off Dunkirk, New York
  • Official Number: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner.

Description

The IOWA was a wooden schooner operating on the Great Lakes during the early 19th century. Specific details regarding its construction, dimensions, and ownership are limited.

History

In late July 1840, the schooner IOWA was en route from Buffalo, New York, to Huron, Ohio. Approximately 9.7 kilometres (6 miles) off the coast of Dunkirk, New York, the IOWA collided with the steamer ERIE. Despite the severity of the collision, there were no reported casualties among the crew. The IOWA was a total loss and sank at the site of the collision.

Significant Incidents

  • Collision with the steamer ERIE in late July 1840.

Final Disposition

Following the collision, the IOWA sank and was considered a total loss. There are no records indicating salvage operations or recovery efforts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Information regarding the discovery or exact location of the IOWA’s wreck remains unavailable. There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the IOWA shipwreck site.

Resources & Links

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The IOWA’s sinking serves as a historical example of the challenges faced by early Great Lakes navigation, particularly concerning vessel collisions during a period when maritime traffic was increasing in the region.

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