Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Major Oliver
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner (converted to brig)
- Year Built: 1837
- Builder: C. G. Keeler
- Dimensions: 81 ft × 23.5 ft × 9.5 ft (24.7 m × 7.2 m × 2.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 158 10/95 tons
- Location: Approximately 0.5 mile south of the Chicago harbour breakwater
- Original Owners: Toledo Navigation Company; later William T. Hawes and partners; ownership transferred to Robert Kyle and others in 1845
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden schooner, typical of Great Lakes coastal trade vessels. It was re-rigged as a brig in 1841, altering its sail plan for improved windward performance.
Description
Constructed with a single deck, the Major Oliver featured a relatively broad beam for stability in the Great Lakes. The conversion from schooner to brig indicated additional spars and square sails were installed on the foremast to enhance cargo passage efficiency.
History
- 1837: Enrolled in Maumee City, Ohio under Toledo Navigation Company.
- 1839 (May 10): Re-registered in Buffalo, NY as part of the Western Transportation/Great Western Line, under ownership of William T. Hawes and partners, likely plying routes between Albany and Buffalo.
- 1840 (Nov 22): Driven ashore during a gale near Grand River (now Grand Haven), Michigan; repaired topmast and jib afterwards.
- 1841: Officially re-rated as a barge, then grounded in the St. Clair Flats; later recast into a brig.
- 1841 (Nov 12): Aground at Chicago harbour but refloated.
- 1843 (various): Sprang a leak during a gale off Southport (now Kenosha, WI); aground again in Chicago laden with wheat, but refloated.
- 1844 (July): Involved in raising the schooner St. Lewis sunk in Lake Huron.
- 1845 (Oct 7): Ownership transferred to Robert Kyle of Chicago and others.
Significant Incidents
- 1840: Driven ashore during a gale near Grand River, Michigan.
- 1841: Grounded in the St. Clair Flats; later recast into a brig.
- 1841: Aground at Chicago harbour but refloated.
- 1843: Sprang a leak during a gale off Southport, Wisconsin; aground again in Chicago.
Final Disposition
On November 2, 1845, while transporting cargo from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, the vessel encountered a gale and was driven ashore half a mile south of Chicago harbour. It sustained severe damage and was declared a total loss with recorded damages of approximately $10,000.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not located. There are no documented wreck surveys or archaeological investigations to identify the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”major-oliver-1837″ title=”References & Links”]
The Major Oliver exemplifies the robust but weather-vulnerable coastal schooners of the mid-1800s Great Lakes trade. Over its service life, it endured multiple groundings, conversions, and ownership changes before succumbing to a gale near Chicago in November 1845. No lives were lost, but its remains have not been identified. Despite its loss, the vessel’s operational history reflects the challenges of early Great Lakes navigation and commerce.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Major Oliver
- Year Built: 1837
- Place of Build: Perrysburg, Ohio (some sources also list Maumee River or Toledo) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Original Owner: Toledo Navigation Company
- Vessel Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner (later converted to brig in 1841) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Builder: C. G. Keeler
- Decks: One
- Dimensions: 81′ × 23.5′ × 9.5′ (24.7 m × 7.2 m × 2.9 m)
- Tonnage (old style): 158 10⁄95 tons (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Final Location: Approximately 0.5 mile south of the Chicago harbour breakwater, Lake Michigan
- Date of Loss: November 2, 1845
- Cause: Driven ashore in a gale while bound from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois
- Casualties: None reported (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org)
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th‑century wooden schooner, typical of Great Lakes coastal trade vessels. It was re-rigged as a brig in 1841, altering its sail plan for improved windward performance.
Description
Constructed with a single deck, the Major Oliver featured a relatively broad beam for stability in the Great Lakes. The conversion from schooner to brig indicated additional spars and square sails were installed on the foremast to enhance cargo passage efficiency.
History
- 1837: Enrolled in Maumee City, Ohio under Toledo Navigation Company. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- 1839 (May 10): Re‑registered in Buffalo, NY as part of the Western Transportation/Great Western Line, under ownership of William T. Hawes and partners, likely plying routes between Albany and Buffalo.
- 1840 (Nov 22): Driven ashore during a gale near Grand River (now Grand Haven), Michigan; repaired topmast and jib afterwards.
- 1841: Officially re-rated as a barge, then grounded in the St. Clair Flats; later recast into a brig.
- 1841 (Nov 12): Aground at Chicago harbour but refloated.
- 1843 (various): Sprang a leak during a gale off Southport (now Kenosha, WI); aground again in Chicago laden with wheat, but refloated.
- 1844 (July): Involved in raising the schooner St. Lewis sunk in Lake Huron.
- 1845 (Oct 7): Ownership transferred to Robert Kyle of Chicago and others. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Final Disposition
On November 2, 1845, while transporting cargo from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, the vessel encountered a gale and was driven ashore half a mile south of Chicago harbour. It sustained severe damage and was declared a total loss with recorded damages of approximately $10,000.
Located By & Date Found
Not located. There are no documented wreck surveys or archaeological investigations to identify the wreck site.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. The wreck does not appear in Notice to Mariners or modern hazard bulletins.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Major Oliver entry (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Boats Built at Toledo, OH (historic registry) (static1.squarespace.com)
Conclusion
The Major Oliver exemplifies the robust but weather‑vulnerable coastal schooners of the mid‑1800s Great Lakes trade. Over its service life, it endured multiple groundings, conversions, and ownership changes before succumbing to a gale near Chicago in November 1845. No lives were lost, but its remains have not been identified. Despite its loss, the vessel’s operational history reflects the challenges of early Great Lakes navigation and commerce.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Major Oliver, schooner‑brig conversion, wooden coastal schooner, 19th century Great Lakes shipping, Chicago wreck, gale grounding, St. Joseph–Chicago trade, Buffalo schooners