IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Cataract

• Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner

• Built: 1856, Sandusky, Ohio

• Builder: Totten

• Dimensions:

• Length: 133 feet (40.5 meters)

• Beam: 26 feet (7.9 meters)

• Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)

• Tonnage: 349 gross tons

• Final Location: Near Long Point Cut, Lake Erie

• Coordinates: WSW of Long Point Light, approximately 1 mile offshore

• Year of Loss: May 1857

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Cataract was a large wooden Schooner designed to carry bulk cargoes such as coal, iron, salt, and staves (wooden slats used in barrel making). With its robust construction and sizeable tonnage of 349 gross tons, the Cataract was well-suited for the busy shipping lanes of Lake Erie. Schooners like the Cataract were the workhorses of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, relying on their sails to navigate the often unpredictable inland seas.

HISTORY

The Cataract was launched in 1856 from Sandusky, Ohio, built by the Shipwright Totten. Shortly after entering service, the vessel became a vital part of Lake Erie’s thriving shipping industry, transporting essential goods and materials between ports.

In May 1857, during a routine voyage carrying a mixed cargo of staves, coal, iron, and salt, the Cataract collided with the propeller-driven Steamer Kentucky near Long Point Cut, off the coast of Conneaut, Ohio. The collision occurred approximately 1 mile west-southwest of Long Point Light.

The impact was devastating, causing the Cataract to sink rapidly in deep water. While the vessel was declared a Total Loss, the crew managed to escape the sinking Schooner in a small boat and safely reached Conneaut, Ohio. There are no records of fatalities, though detailed information about the incident is sparse.

The loss was significant, with property damages estimated at $12,000, a considerable sum in the mid-19th century. Efforts were reportedly made to recover the Cataract, but the success of these attempts remains uncertain.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Cataract sank in deep water near Long Point Cut following its collision with the Kentucky. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, with salvage efforts proving inconclusive. The wreck’s current location and condition remain unknown, though it is believed to rest in Lake Erie’s depths.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the wreck of the Cataract. The site is not marked as a navigational hazard.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Cataract has not been definitively located. Its last reported position is WSW of Long Point Light, approximately 1 mile offshore, in an area of deep water.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Cataract’s wreckage is presumed to be in deep water and has not been documented or surveyed in modern times. Given the depth and age of the wreck, it is likely in a state of advanced deterioration. Any remains would be of interest primarily to maritime historians and advanced technical divers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The sinking of the Cataract highlights the inherent risks of navigating the busy shipping lanes of Lake Erie during the 19th century. The collision with the Steamer Kentucky underscores the challenges of operating in a rapidly industrializing maritime environment where steam-powered vessels increasingly shared the waterways with traditional sailing ships.

DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

The wreck of the Cataract has not been identified, making diving opportunities non-existent at this time. However, the area near Long Point Cut is known for other significant wrecks, and divers may wish to explore nearby documented sites with proper authorization and preparation.

TAGS

• Lake Erie Shipwrecks

• Schooner Wreck

• 19th-Century Maritime History

• Long Point Light Collision

• Great Lakes Navigation

CONCLUSION

The Cataract serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by mariners during the height of Great Lakes shipping. Its loss in 1857marked a tragic end to a vessel that had only recently joined the bustling trade network. While its wreck remains undiscovered, the Cataract’s story adds to the rich tapestry of maritime history on Lake Erie.