Identification & Site Information

Last Voyage & Loss Event

Navigating Lake Erie near the Cleveland harbor entrance amid a strong storm, the Omar was unable to enter the harbor and instead struck the stone Breakwater late on the night of 4/5 December 1854. The violent impact fractured the Hull, causing rapid flooding and then foundering onto the rocks. Of the six-man crew, only three survived as they mounted the rigging and awaited rescue; however, three crew members drowned. Tragically, a would-be rescuer from shore also lost his life in the rescue attempt (Alchem Inc.).

Wreck Site & Current Condition

With a considerable buildup of stone and causeway now present at the Breakwater’s site in modern Cleveland harbor, the Omar (if any remains survive) is likely embedded beneath seasonal silt or removed during Breakwater enhancements. No documented underwater surveys or artifact recoveries exist; the wreck is presumed obliterated by Breakwater maintenance.

Historical Significance

  • The Omar represents one of the earliest recorded casualties of Cleveland’s harbor, highlighting the maritime peril of Lake Erie’s storm-prone conditions—especially near wooden breakwaters.
  • The loss of both multiple crew and a rescuer underscores the high risks in mid-19th-century rescue operations, prior to modern life-saving apparatus.
  • As a salt cargo carrier, the vessel played an essential role in supplying inland markets during the early Great Lakes salt trade boom.

Key Details

  • Build Period: Circa 1850
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner (two-mast, single Deck)
  • Cause of Loss: Storm-induced grounding on Breakwater
  • Human Toll: 4 lives lost (3 crew + rescuer)
  • Cargo: Salt
  • Location: Cleveland stone Breakwater, Lake Erie
  • Wreck Status: Presumed destroyed; no extant wreckage

Research Opportunities

  • Could be cross-referenced with contemporary newspapers like the Cleveland Herald or Plain Dealer to triangulate survivor statements or harbor-entry delays.
  • Examination of 1850s U.S. Life-Saving Service logs or Cleveland harbor master records may reveal more precise rescue details.