Identification & Site Information

• Name: Cape Horn

• Vessel Type: Schooner

• Year Built: 1857

• Builder: William Barker, Huron, Ohio

• Dimensions:

• Length: 121.4 feet (37 meters)

• Beam: 25.4 feet (7.7 meters)

• Depth: 9.7 feet (3 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 214 tons

• Location: Lake Erie, near Long Point

• GPS Coordinates: Not provided

• Depth: Not provided

Vessel Type Description

The Cape Horn was a Schooner, a versatile sailing vessel with a fore-and-aft rig popular on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. These vessels were valued for their ability to sail closer to the wind and handle the region’s unpredictable weather. With sturdy construction and efficient design, schooners like the Cape Horn were essential for cargo transport across the lakes.

History

The Cape Horn was constructed in 1857 in Huron, Ohio, by William Barker. With a Gross Tonnage of 214 tons, the Schooner played a vital role in the cargo trade on the Great Lakes, connecting ports such as Sandusky, Detroit, and Chicago. Over its service life, it changed ownership several times and was operated by notable entities, including Benjamin Eyster, A.W. Meeker, and Darling & Bell.

1873 Collision and Recovery

On May 9, 1873, while upbound on Lake Erie near Long Point, the Cape Horn collided with the iron propeller Java in heavy fog. The impact caused the Schooner to capsize quickly, filling with water. Most of the crew escaped to the Java, but the ship’s captain and the female cook were tragically lost. The captain’s heroic efforts to save the cook ended in her drowning, marking a somber chapter in the ship’s history.

Despite the severe damage, the Cape Horn was recovered shortly after the collision. It underwent significant repairs and was Rebuilt in Buffalo, New York, in July 1873. Remarkably, the vessel returned to service and continued operations under various owners for several more decades.

Final Abandonment

By 1910, after more than 50 years of service, the Cape Horn was Abandoned, having become unfit for further use. Its final fate likely involved natural deterioration, as there are no records of a formal wreck or sinking.

Final Disposition

The Cape Horn was declared a Total Loss after the collision in 1873, but it was recovered and repaired. The Schooner continued to operate until 1910, when it was Abandoned and left to deteriorate.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to the Cape Horn. Its final abandonment suggests there are no known hazards associated with its remains.

Located By & Date

The Cape Horn was never lost as a wreck. It was salvaged following its collision in 1873 and remained operational until its abandonment in 1910.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Cape Horn was Abandoned in 1910, and any remnants would have likely deteriorated over time. There is no documented location or accessibility of any remains.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Detailed vessel histories and data

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archive of Great Lakes maritime history

Conclusion

The Cape Horn stands as an example of the resilience and adaptability of 19th-century schooners. Despite a significant collision in 1873, the vessel was salvaged, Rebuilt, and continued its service for nearly four more decades. Its ultimate abandonment in 1910 marks the quiet end of a vessel that weathered both the physical challenges of Great Lakes navigation and the changing demands of maritime commerce.

Keywords

• Cape Horn Schooner

• Lake Erie shipwreck

• 19th-century maritime history

• Schooner collisions

• Great Lakes trade routes