(built circa 1837; lost October 4, 1840)
Vessel & Route Overview
- Type: Wooden Schooner (grain trader), carrying approximately 5,000 bushels of wheat
- Route: Bound from Cleveland to Buffalo across Lake Erie
- Loss Date: October 4, 1840
- Disaster Area: Mid-lake storm zone near Point Abino, Ontario, close to the Niagara River outlet (oswego.nygenweb.net, alcheminc.com)
Circumstances of Loss
- During a violent storm, Helen Mar sank to her upper spars near Point Abino. The ship disappeared amid heavy seas; later, parts of her Hull were observed drifting ashore. (alcheminc.com)
- Crew casualties: All aboard—either five or seven crewmen—were lost, including Captain Judah Welles Ransom, a noted early Upper Great Lakes navigator. (alcheminc.com)
Distinct Identity Clarification
- This Schooner should not be confused with the paddle Steamer Helen Mar (US 11818), which burned at Allegan, Michigan in 1869—an entirely different vessel. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Helen Mar |
| Built | circa 1837 (wooden lake Schooner) |
| Cargo | 5,000 bu wheat |
| Loss Date | October 4, 1840 |
| Loss Location | Near Point Abino, Lake Erie |
| Cause | Overwhelmed by storm—sank to spars |
| Crew & Casualties | 5–7 crew lost, including Captain Ransom |
| Distinct Vessel Note | Not the 1869 Allegan Steamer of same name |
| Wreck Located | Not recovered or surveyed |
Citation Summary
- Incident and casualty detail from Lake Erie Shipwreck Map – Helen Mar listing (alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cross-reference of similarly named vessels from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress archive) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Observations & Potential Research Paths
- Historical significance: The sinking of Helen Mar with her noted captain underscores early 19th-century navigational hazards on Lake Erie, before modern navigation aids.
- Gaps in record: While casualty estimates vary (5 or 7 lost), crew names and official registry numbers remain unidentified.
- Research directions:
- Search mid-October 1840 Buffalo or Cleveland newspaper archives for wreck reporting or casualty lists.
- Review early U.S. shipping registers or customs logs that might list a Schooner named Helen Mar carrying wheat.
- Clarify regional insurance underwriters’ ledgers from 1841 (e.g. Buffalo or Detroit offices).