Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rapid C 33581
- Type: Sail Schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: VandSlyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: Approximately 131 ft long × 27 ft beam × 10 ft depth; ~191 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~191 tons
- Location: Approximately 10 miles east of Rondeau, Ontario
- Coordinates: Exact position undocumented
- Official Number: C33581
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rapid was a traditional two-masted sail schooner with a fore-and-aft rig, designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Rapid was built in 1856 and measured approximately 131 feet in length, with a beam of 27 feet and a depth of 10 feet. It had a registered tonnage of around 191 tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting staves, which are components of barrels.
History
On September 27, 1872, the Rapid was operating in Lake Erie near the Canadian shore when it encountered a sudden gale. The vessel capsized and foundered, resulting in the loss of seven of the eight crew members. Only one survivor endured 60 hours adrift before being rescued.
Significant Incidents
- September 27, 1872: Caught in a sudden gale, the Rapid capsized and sank.
- Casualties: 7 of 8 crew perished; only one survivor was rescued after 60 hours adrift.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Rapid is presumed largely intact after capsizing, but no archaeological surveys have been conducted to confirm its condition. There were no recorded salvaging efforts at the time of the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact position of the wreck remains undocumented, and it is likely resting in deep, cold waters of Lake Erie. The lack of detailed wreck discovery or mapping makes it a compelling target for future maritime archaeology.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rapid-c-33581″ title=”References & Links”]
The Rapid’s tragic sinking and the survival of its lone crew member present a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, inviting further exploration and research into its wreck site.
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 & Construction
- Built: 1856, by VandSlyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY
- Official Number: C33581
- Dimensions: Approximately 131 ft long × 27 ft beam × 10 ft depth; ~191 tons
- Propulsion: Traditional two‑masted sail schooner with fore-and-aft rig
Final Voyage & Sinking
- Date of Loss: September 27, 1872
- Cargo: Staves (barrel components)
- Route: Operating in Lake Erie, near the Canadian shore
- Incident: Caught in a sudden gale; after listing, Rapid capsized and foundered
- Casualties: 7 of 8 crew perished; only one survivor endured 60 hours adrift before rescue (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Approximate Wreck Site
- Occurred approximately 10 miles east of Rondeau, Ontario—close to Jackfish Point (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Likely resting in deep, cold waters of Lake Erie; exact position undocumented
Wreck Condition & Salvage
- Wreck foundered after capsizing; presumed largely intact, though no known archaeological surveys have been conducted
- No salvaging efforts recorded at the time
Archival Documentation & Records
- Primary details sourced from the Great Lakes Shipwreck File, a historical dataset maintained by maritime researcher David Swayze (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Gaps & Potential Research Directions
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Survivor account | Identify newspaper coverage detailing the lone survivor’s rescue and testimony |
| Crew & manifest | Search National Archives records (registers, crew lists) for personnel identities and voyage papers |
| Weather records | Consult meteorological logs from September 1872 at Rondeau and nearby stations |
| Sonar surveys | Side-scan or magnetometer surveys east of Rondeau may reveal wreck remains |
Summary
The RAPID, a sizable 19th-century wooden schooner built in 1856, capsized and sank in a violent September 27, 1872, gale on Lake Erie. Only one of eight crew survived—spending an extraordinary 60 hours adrift—before being rescued. With no detailed wreck discovery or mapping to date, her final resting place remains a compelling target for maritime archaeology and historical inquiry.
rapid-c-33581 1872-09-27 15:20:00