Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Mountain Maid
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Registration Number: 16441
  • Date Built & Launched: 1852
  • Builder: Fairport, Ohio
  • Construction: Wooden scow-Schooner
  • Tonnage: 53 tons (approx. 48 metric tonnes)
  • Dimensions: Exact dimensions not specified in available records
  • Date Lost: August 3, 1877
  • Location of Loss: Approximately 400 feet (122 metres) northwest of the Black River Lighthouse, near Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Limestone
  • Cause of Loss: Capsized during a storm
  • Crew: All crew members were rescued
  • Final Disposition: Reported as an obstruction following sinking

Vessel Type

The Mountain Maid was a wooden scow-Schooner, a type of flat-bottomed sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Scow-schooners were particularly suited for transporting heavy bulk cargoes such as stone, lumber, and coal in shallow waters and harbours.

Description

Built in 1852 in Fairport, Ohio, the Mountain Maid served as a utilitarian cargo vessel on Lake Erie. Her flat-bottomed design allowed for easy loading and unloading of heavy materials like limestone, which she was carrying at the time of her sinking. The vessel’s relatively small size and simple construction were typical of scow-schooners of that era, which were often used for short-haul trips between ports along the lake.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

History

The Mountain Maid operated during a period of significant commercial activity on the Great Lakes, where vessels like hers played a crucial role in the transportation of raw materials essential for the region’s development. On August 3, 1877, while en route to Cleveland with a heavy load of limestone, the Mountain Maid encountered a storm and capsized approximately 400 feet northwest of the Black River Lighthouse near Lorain, Ohio. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued. The wreck was subsequently reported as an obstruction, indicating that it posed a hazard to navigation in the area. (alcheminc.com)

Final Disposition

After capsizing, the Mountain Maid sank and was reported as an obstruction to navigation. There is no record of salvage or removal, suggesting that the wreck may have remained in place, potentially posing a hazard to other vessels in the vicinity.(alcheminc.com)

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Mountain Maid has been located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The wreck was reported as an obstruction following its sinking in 1877. However, there are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories indicating the presence of the wreck as a hazard to navigation. Mariners operating in the area near the Black River Lighthouse should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.(alcheminc.com)

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Mountain Maid serves as a representative example of the numerous small cargo vessels that operated on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her sinking highlights the challenges faced by mariners of the time, including unpredictable weather and the limitations of vessel design. While the wreck has not been located, it remains a part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Mountain Maid, scow-Schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, limestone cargo, Black River Lighthouse, Lorain Ohio maritime history(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Vessels, Scow-Schooners

Glossary Terms:

  • Scow-Schooner: A flat-bottomed sailing vessel with a Schooner rig, commonly used for transporting bulk cargoes in shallow waters.
  • Obstruction: In nautical terms, any sunken vessel or object that poses a hazard to navigation.
  • Limestone Cargo: A common bulk material transported on the Great Lakes, used in construction and industrial processes.
  • Black River Lighthouse: A navigational aid located near Lorain, Ohio, serving as a reference point for vessels on Lake Erie.