Shipwreck Report: Schooner Silas Wright (1852–1860)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Silas Wright
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None (pre-registration era)
• Vessel Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner
• Built: 1852, by L. Goler, Cape Vincent, New York
• Final Location: Near Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: September 13, 1860
• Cause: Storm – Went ashore and wrecked
• Final Cargo: Light (unknown specifics)
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications Length: 75 feet (22.9 meters)  Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters)  Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)Tonnage: 70 tons (old measurement)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Owner: Captain A. VanNorman
• Home Port: Buffalo, New York

Operational History

The Silas Wright was a mid-sized Schooner built in 1852 at Cape Vincent, New York, a key shipbuilding center along the St. Lawrence River. She operated primarily on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, running short-haul freight between ports like Buffalo, Barcelona, Dunkirk, and Cleveland.

Schooners of this type were workhorses of the Great Lakes, carrying grain, lumber, coal, and general cargo in an era before steamships dominated the lakes. The Silas Wright was owned and captained by A. VanNorman, suggesting she was a privately operated vessel, likely part of a small shipping business.

Final Voyage & Loss (September 13, 1860)

Route: The Silas Wright was sailing from Barcelona, New York, to Buffalo.

Weather Conditions:  A strong storm moved across Lake Erie, a common hazard in late summer and early fall. The lake’s shallow depth makes storms particularly dangerous, as waves build quickly.

Incident Details:

• The Schooner was unable to reach safety and was driven ashore near Dunkirk, New York.
• The vessel sustained severe damage, rendering her a Total Loss.
• The crew survived, though the exact method of their escape is unknown.
• Aftermath:
  • There are no records of an attempted salvage, suggesting the wreckage was likely Abandoned or scavenged for usable parts.
  • The Silas Wright did not reappear in any shipping records after 1860, confirming her loss was permanent.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie
• Current Condition:
  • Given the wooden Hull construction, it is unlikely that significant wreckage remains intact.
  • Any remaining portions of the vessel would be buried in sand, broken apart by waves, or recovered for materials.
  • Some iron fastenings, anchor chains, or ballast stones may still exist offshore.
• Potential for Discovery:
  •  The wreck has never been officially identified, though it may exist in the Dunkirk area among other Lake Erie wrecks.
  •  If located, it would be an important example of a mid-19th century Great Lakes Schooner, a type largely lost to history.

Legacy and Significance

Typical of Great Lakes Schooner Trade The Silas Wright was representative of hundreds of small schooners that made up the bulk freight fleet of the mid-19th century.  By 1860, steam-powered vessels were growing in number, but schooners like the Silas Wright remained essential for transporting cargo efficiently.

Dunkirk, New York – A Major Lake Erie Port  Dunkirk was a vital port in the 19th century, connecting railroads to lake shipping routes.  The town was also known for its numerous shipwrecks, as many vessels attempted to reach shelter there but failed.

Lost to Lake Erie’s Unpredictable Weather

The Silas Wright’s wreck highlights the dangers of Lake Erie storms, which have claimed hundreds of ships over the years. Shallow, unpredictable waters make Lake Erie one of the most dangerous of the Great Lakes.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Includes archives of Schooner losses, shipping records, and Great Lakes maritime history.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum  https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Documents the history of schooners and shipwrecks across the Great Lakes.
• Pennsylvania & New York Shipwreck Archives Local maritime museums and diving groups have wreck maps and underwater survey data for the Dunkirk area.
• Great Lakes Schooner Foundation Dedicated to preserving the history of early sailing vessels on the Great Lakes.

Conclusion

The Silas Wright was a small but hardworking Schooner, operating in the Great Lakes cargo trade from 1852 until her loss in 1860. Caught in a storm near Dunkirk, New York, she was driven ashore and wrecked, though her crew survived.

Though largely forgotten today, the Silas Wright is part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie, representing an era when sail-powered schooners carried the region’s commerce. If her wreck were to be found, it would be an important relic of 19th-century wooden shipbuilding and lake trade.