ADA MEDORA (1867–1906)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: ADA MEDORA
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: Not available
• Date Built and Launched: 1867
• Measurements:
  • Length: Not specified
  • Beam: Not specified
  • Depth: Not specified
  • Gross Tonnage: 290 tons (approx. 263 metric tonnes)
• Date Lost: October 6, 1906
• Cause: Storm; stranded while avoiding collision
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber
• Place of Loss: Approximately one mile (1.6 kilometres) off Buffalo, New York, Lake Erie(Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, DeviantArt, lloyds-production.s3.amazonaws.com)

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner(Wikipedia)

Description

The ADA MEDORA was a wooden-hulled Schooner constructed in 1867, designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. With a Gross Tonnage of 290 tons, she was typical of the mid-19th-century schooners that played a vital role in regional commerce, particularly in the lumber trade.

History

On October 6, 1906, the ADA MEDORA was navigating Lake Erie near Buffalo, New York, carrying a cargo of lumber. During a storm, while attempting to avoid a collision with the Steamer UGANDA, she was driven onto the Breakwater. The impact and subsequent pounding by waves led to her becoming a Total Loss. All seven crew members survived the incident. (Wikipedia)

Final Disposition

The ADA MEDORA was declared a Total Loss following the stranding. There is no record of salvage operations, and the remains were likely dismantled or submerged near the Breakwater.

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, the wreck of the ADA MEDORA has not been located or identified.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site of the ADA MEDORA near Buffalo, New York.

Resources & Links

• List of shipwrecks in 1906 – Wikipedia

Conclusion

The loss of the ADA MEDORA underscores the hazards faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Her demise near Buffalo’s Breakwater highlights the challenges of navigating congested waterways during storms.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ADA MEDORA, Lake Erie shipwreck, Buffalo Breakwater, Schooner, 1906 storm
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners
• Glossary Terms:
  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically used for transporting bulk cargoes on the Great Lakes.
  • Breakwater: A structure built offshore to protect a coast or harbour from the force of waves.
  • Stranding: When a vessel runs aground or is driven onto a shore or reef.