Wave (1850)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Wave
• Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Charles Jennison, Algonac, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft (2.4 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 208 tons
• Location: Near the mouth of Grand River, Ontario
• Official Number: None (Pre-dates official U.S. vessel registration system)
• Original Owners: Unknown, but likely Michigan-based
• Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wave was a wooden sidewheel steamer, a type of vessel characterized by its side-mounted paddle wheels used for propulsion.

Description

The Wave was launched in 1850 and primarily served the Great Lakes trade routes, transporting merchandise and general cargo between ports on Lake Erie and Lake Huron.

History

The Wave operated between Michigan, Ontario, and Ohio ports, likely connecting Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Canadian lakefront towns. She provided regular transport of cargo and possibly passengers along the Great Lakes’ expanding steamship network.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: November 7, 1851
• Location: Near the mouth of Grand River, Ontario (Lake Erie)
• Cause: Mechanical failure (broken shaft), leading to stranding and wrecking in a storm
• Cargo at Loss: General merchandise
• Loss of Life: None

Final Disposition

The Wave suffered a mechanical failure while transporting merchandise, breaking her shaft while navigating Lake Erie. This left her stranded and vulnerable to worsening weather conditions. A storm drove her ashore near Grand River, Ontario, where she became wrecked beyond salvage. The crew survived, and no loss of life was reported. Her final enrollment was annotated as “wrecked in 1851 on Lake Erie.”

Current Condition & Accessibility

Since the Wave was a wooden vessel, her remains have likely deteriorated significantly. Some metal components (boiler, engine, shaft, and sidewheel fittings) may still be on the lakebed. Sonar or magnetometer surveys could locate wreckage fragments in the shallow waters near Grand River. No known modern dive or salvage efforts have documented her remains.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”wave-1850″ title=”References & Links”]

The Wave (1850–1851) was a wooden sidewheel steamer built to serve Lake Erie’s expanding trade routes. She was lost after breaking her shaft and being driven ashore by a storm near Grand River, Ontario. While no lives were lost, the wreck highlights the challenges faced by early steam-powered vessels, particularly mechanical failures and storm risks. Though no remains have been documented, future exploration could reveal metal fittings or engine parts from this early Great Lakes steamer.