Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

Wooden two-masted Schooner, typical of mid‑19th‑century bulk grain carriers on the Great Lakes.

Description

Radiant was described in contemporary reports as “not of the largest class,” indicating a moderate-sized Schooner, likely under 130 ft in length. Built circa 1856, she was engaged in the wheat trade from Western Lake Erie ports to the Welland Canal.

History

Laid down around 1856, Radiant spent her brief career hauling wheat eastward. On November 18, 1857, she departed Toledo for Oswego via the Welland Canal. Two days later, a sudden gale swept Lake Erie. She never arrived — presumed lost to the storm on November 20, 1857. The entire ten-person crew vanished, with no wreckage or survivors reported. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, alcheminc.com)

Final Disposition

Presumed Foundered in deep water due to the intense gale; no recovered wreckage, no survivors. Declared a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

No wreck site has ever been found or documented. The location remains unknown.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No navigation markers or memorials exist at the site. However, the loss stands as a stark reminder of fall storm peril on Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The disappearance of Radiant on November 20, 1857 highlights the sudden and deadly nature of late‑autumn storms on Lake Erie. Despite a routine cargo run, the full gale she encountered erased both the vessel and crew, with no trace. The tragedy underscores the harsh reality of mid-19th century lake transport and the limits of maritime rescue at the time.

Keywords: Radiant Schooner, wheat transport, Lake Erie storm, 1857 shipwreck
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie • 19th Century Grain Schooners • Weather‑related Lake Losses
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