Identification & Site Information

•Name: C.G. Alvord (formerly California)

•Other Names: C. G. Alvoord, Charles G. Alvord

•Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner

•Build Year: 1849

•Builder: L. Shickluna

•Build Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Tonnage: 264 tons

•Official Number: 4389

•Final Voyage Date: December 1867

•Wreck Date: December 1867

•Location: Just east of Burlington Beach, near Stoney Creek, New York, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Condition: Total Loss; vessel stripped, and cargo salvaged

Vessel Type Description

The C.G. Alvord, originally named California, was a three-masted wooden Schooner built in 1849 by the renowned Canadian shipbuilder L. Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. The vessel was designed to transport goods across the Great Lakes, featuring robust construction suited to the often challenging lake conditions. Its size and capacity made it ideal for hauling bulk cargoes, such as grain, a staple of Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century.

History

Early Service

The C.G. Alvord began its life as the California, serving for various commercial purposes on the Great Lakes. It was later renamed C.G. Alvord in 1863, marking a new phase of ownership and operation. Throughout its service, the Schooner experienced several incidents, including running ashore on Mission Island in Lake Huron during the fall gale of 1864-1865, which necessitated significant repairs.

Final Voyage

In December 1867, while en route from Detroit to Toronto with a cargo of 150,000 bushels of wheat, the C.G. Alvord encountered a fierce blizzard on Lake Ontario. The Schooner became unmanageable in the storm, drifting uncontrollably before ultimately beaching near Stoney Creek, New York, just east of Burlington Beach.

The crew survived but was found in an exhausted and frozen state after enduring the severe conditions. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, with the Schooner valued at $12,000 and its cargo at $18,500.

Final Disposition

After the wreck, the C.G. Alvord was stripped of all salvageable materials. The valuable cargo of wheat was retrieved, and the vessel was Abandoned. The wreck site near Burlington Beach has not been prominently marked or designated as a historical or dive site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the C.G. Alvord are believed to rest near Burlington Beach, but its stripped and salvaged state suggests that little of the original vessel remains. The site has not been documented as a significant dive location, and its condition likely reflects the extensive deterioration typical of wooden shipwrecks from the 19th century.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The C.G. Alvord was a resilient vessel that played a critical role in Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century. Its final voyage in 1867, marked by a catastrophic blizzard and subsequent beaching near Burlington Beach, reflects the inherent dangers of navigation on the Great Lakes. While the vessel and its cargo were lost, the story of the C.G. Alvord remains a testament to the maritime history of the region and the harsh realities faced by Schooner crews of the era.

Keywords

C.G. Alvord, California, three-masted Schooner, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Burlington Beach, L. Shickluna, St. Catharines shipbuilding, 19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes commerce, wheat cargo loss.