IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Carrie and Cora

• Type: Canal Boat

• Built: 1872, North Bay, New York

• Gross Tonnage: 115 tons

• Home Port: Oswego, New York

• Cargo: Barrelled apples, onions, and potatoes

• Date of Loss: November 10, 1882

• Location of Loss: Near Point Petre, Ontario, Lake Ontario

• Coordinates: Not specified

• Depth: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Carrie and Cora was a wooden canal boat, designed primarily for navigating inland waterways such as canals and lakes. Canal boats were typically flat-bottomed, allowing them to traverse shallow waters. With a Gross Tonnage of 115 tons, the Carrie and Cora was a modest-sized vessel used for transporting goods such as produce, coal, and other bulk materials. It was originally designed to operate in calm, sheltered waters but was forced to venture into open, more dangerous waters on the day of its tragic loss.

HISTORY

The Carrie and Cora was constructed in 1872 in North Bay, New York, and was primarily used for transporting goods along the canal systems of New York and the Great Lakes. With a home port in Oswego, New York, the vessel primarily carried agricultural products, like apples, onions, and potatoes, across Lake Ontario to various ports.

Final Voyage

On November 10, 1882, the Carrie and Cora embarked on its final journey, being towed by the Tug M. J. Cummings. The boat was carrying a load of barrelled apples, onions, and potatoes. It set out from the canal system into the open waters of Lake Ontario, heading toward various destinations along the lake’s shoreline.

However, the vessel’s journey turned disastrous when it was caught in a violent storm near Point Petre, Ontario. The storm, with fierce winds and heavy waves, overwhelmed the vessel. The Carrie and Cora Foundered, sinking in the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, it is believed that all aboard the boat perished in the incident, although the exact number of casualties remains unknown.

FINAL DISPOSITION

After the sinking, wreckage from the Carrie and Cora washed ashore. Fragments of the boat’s cargo, Hull, and cabin were found along local beaches, with over 350 barrels of apples being discovered on Long Point. The wreck marked the end of the canal boat’s service and served as a poignant reminder of the dangers that faced vessels operating on open waters during storms.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Carrie and Cora. However, mariners should remain aware of the historical risks faced by similar vessels navigating Lake Ontario, especially during adverse weather conditions.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The Carrie and Cora’s wreckage has not been formally located as a dive site, but pieces of the boat’s remains, such as barrels, washed up on Long Point. The exact coordinates of the wreckage site remain unknown, though the storm’s severity and the boat’s proximity to Point Petre suggest that it sank in deeper waters off the Ontario shoreline.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the passage of time and the weather conditions on Lake Ontario, it is likely that any remains of the Carrie and Cora have deteriorated. The wreckage may have been scattered by the storm and subsequent waves, making the site difficult to locate or identify today. However, the washed-up cargo, especially the barrelled apples, serves as a significant clue to the boat’s final journey and offers a glimpse into the vessel’s life before it was lost.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Extensive records of Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks, including historical data.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A detailed repository of shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes region.

• The Fowlerville Review: Articles and records about maritime events, including the Carrie and Cora tragedy.

CONCLUSION

The Carrie and Cora’s loss on November 10, 1882, highlights the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly when caught in powerful storms. The canal boat’s tragic demise underscores the vulnerability of even the most seemingly robust vessels when venturing into open water. The wreck remains a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes and the lives lost to its turbulent waters.

The Carrie and Cora, once a vital link in the region’s inland trade, was lost with all hands aboard, and its sinking serves as a sobering reminder of the perilous risks of navigating Lake Ontario’s vast and unpredictable waters. Though the exact wreck site remains elusive, the boat’s legacy lives on through the discovery of fragments of its cargo, and the tragedy continues to be remembered as part of the rich maritime history of the region.

KEYWORDS

• Carrie and Cora

• Canal boat

• Lake Ontario shipwreck

• Maritime history

• Shipwreck

• 19th-century shipping

• Point Petre wreck

• Great Lakes storms

This structured account provides an overview of the Carrie and Cora shipwreck, its history, and final voyage. Should you need further details or modifications, feel free to reach out!

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships