Virago (1848)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Virago
• Type: schooner-scow
• Year Built: 1848
• Builder: Fairport (now Cleveland area), Ohio
• Dimensions: 87 ft (26.52 m); Beam 22 ft; Depth of hold 6 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 112 gross tons
• Location: East of Peninsula Point, near Sandusky, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• A wooden scow-schooner rigged vessel commonly used for nearshore freight movement like coal transport. Often towed or sailed across the shallow reaches of Lake Erie.

Description

Virago was a small coal-carrying scow-schooner built in 1848 operating in Lake Erie. On April 10, 1854, a gale pushed her into the shallows off Peninsula Point, where she endured heavy pounding until she broke up and sank. No crew were lost. Her remains were likely scattered or buried in nearshore sediments, and no verified wreck site has been documented in modern records.

History

• Built in 1848, Virago was primarily used for transporting coal across Lake Erie.

Significant Incidents

• During a gale, Virago was driven into shallow water near Peninsula Point in Lake Erie. She grounded and withstood severe wave action for some time. Ultimately, when the pounding became unbearable, her hull gave way and she broke apart and was lost.
• Casualties: None reported—all crew survived.

Final Disposition

• The vessel was destroyed in place by wave action; no salvage operations are documented.
• Given her proximity to shore and age at loss, it is very unlikely any remains persist underwater.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No known modern survey has been conducted on the wreck site, and it is likely that any remains have been lost to erosion or sedimentation.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”virago-1848″ title=”References & Links”]

The loss of Virago serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions.