The Fateful Journey of the Schooner CECELIA on Lake Superior

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: CECELIA

• Type: Barkentine (later converted to three-masted wooden Schooner)

• Construction: Wooden Hull

• Builder: Port Dalhousie, Ontario

• Year Built: 1865

• Dimensions:

• Length: 136 feet (41.45 meters)

• Beam: 24 feet (7.32 meters)

• Depth: 11 feet (3.35 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 351 tons

• Net Tonnage: 341 tons

• Final Resting Place: Lake Superior, approximately 20 miles offshore near Port Arthur, Ontario

• Coordinates: Not precisely recorded

• Depth: Unknown

• Condition: Presumed fully submerged and lost to time

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CECELIA, initially launched as a Barkentine, was later converted into a three-masted wooden Schooner. This versatile vessel type, characterized by its mixed rigging, allowed for effective cargo transport across the Great Lakes. The CECELIA was designed to endure the challenging weather and heavy cargo demands of mid-19th-century maritime trade, making it a valuable asset for transporting goods such as wood, coal, and other bulk materials.

HISTORY

The CECELIA was constructed in 1865 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, during a boom in shipbuilding on the Great Lakes. Over its nearly two decades of service, the vessel transported various goods, primarily operating on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, contributing to the bustling maritime commerce of the region.

The ship’s career was marked by a series of mishaps, reflecting the inherent risks of maritime transportation in the 19th century:

• Collision with ORIENTAL (1873):

While navigating near Point Pelee, Lake Erie, the CECELIA collided with the Schooner ORIENTAL, leading to its sinking. Salvage efforts by the Coast Wrecking Company successfully raised the ship, and it was taken to Detroit for repairs, allowing it to return to service.

• November 2, 1883 – Final Voyage:

On its last journey, the CECELIA departed Waiska Bay, Michigan, bound for Port Arthur, Ontario, carrying a cargo of wood. While en route, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Superior, with powerful waves disabling the ship and rendering it unsalvageable.

Faced with an untenable situation, the crew Abandoned ship and escaped in the vessel’s Yawl boat, managing to reach Port Arthur safely. Despite the vessel’s destruction, no lives were lost, which is a testament to the crew’s training and resourcefulness.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CECELIA was Abandoned in a sinking state, approximately 20 miles offshore in Lake Superior, during the November 1883 storm. The ship was presumed lost shortly after its abandonment, with no records of salvage or recovery efforts. The cargo of wood was also lost with the vessel, adding to the financial impact of the disaster.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of the CECELIA, as the exact location remains undetermined. The vessel does not present a navigational hazard today.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The CECELIA’s loss was documented in maritime records and contemporary newspapers shortly after the storm in November 1883. However, the exact location of the wreck has not been identified, and no modern efforts to locate or explore the site have been reported.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The condition of the wreck remains unknown. The wooden construction, combined with the harsh underwater environment of Lake Superior, suggests that any remains of the CECELIA have likely deteriorated significantly. The wreck is not a known or accessible dive site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Website

• Microsoft .Net Archive on Maritime History

CONCLUSION

The Schooner CECELIA, originally built as a Barkentine, is emblematic of the challenges faced by Great Lakes mariners in the 19th century. From its construction in 1865 to its dramatic abandonment in 1883, the vessel’s history reflects both the vitality of the regional maritime trade and the perils of operating on the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

Although the CECELIA’s wreck remains undiscovered, its story continues to resonate as a poignant chapter in the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.

KEYWORDS:

CECELIA shipwreck, Lake Superior, Schooner wreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipping, storm loss, Port Dalhousie-built vessel, Abandoned ship.