IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Cormorant (formerly Russell 4)

Type: Oil-Driven Propeller Vessel

U.S. Official Number: 240399

Year Built: 1941

Builder: Manitowoc, Michigan

Gross Tonnage: 18 tons

Location:

•Latitude: 43° 30’ 47.9988” N

•Longitude: 76° 37’ 9.3” W

Final Fate: Documented as lost

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Cormorant was a small, oil-driven propeller vessel built in 1941 during the World War II era. With a Gross Tonnage of 18, the vessel was relatively small and likely used for utility services or transportation across the Great Lakes. Originally registered under the name Russell 4 in 1949, it was renamed Cormorant in 1952. Ships of this class were essential for smaller-scale operations, ranging from towing to cargo transport, in support of local and industrial needs around the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The Cormorant, originally known as Russell 4, began its service as a utility vessel on the Great Lakes. It was built by a shipyard in Manitowoc, Michigan, a hub for small vessel construction during the 20th century. By 1952, it was rebranded as the Cormorant, indicating either a change in ownership or operational focus.

•Role and Operations: The vessel’s small size and oil-driven propulsion made it ideal for short-distance transport, light towing, or industrial utility tasks.

•Service History: While specific records of its day-to-day operations are not available, vessels like the Cormorant played vital roles in the regional economy, ensuring the movement of goods, resources, and services.

Its final years are sparsely documented, but it was included in maritime records such as the Great Lakes Merchant Vessel List of 1959and the Herman Runge List, where it is noted as a loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Cormorant is recorded as lost according to the 1959 Great Lakes Merchant Vessel List and the Herman Runge List. The circumstances of its loss remain unclear. No wreckage or incident details are provided, but the last known coordinates point to a location in Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York.

•Coordinates: Latitude 43° 30’ 47.9988” N, Longitude 76° 37’ 9.3” W

•Depth: Information on the depth at the wreck site is not provided.

•Incident: The exact cause of the loss (storm, collision, mechanical failure, or another factor) is undocumented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the Cormorant wreck site. Given the lack of detailed site information, mariners and divers should approach the area cautiously.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Cormorant was identified in 2000, though specific details of its discovery remain minimal. The site may have been located through sonar surveys or historical research efforts.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Merchant Vessel List of 1959: Records losses and active vessels on the Great Lakes.

•Herman Runge List: A comprehensive database of Great Lakes vessel histories, including losses.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: May provide broader context and additional historical records.

CONCLUSION

The Cormorant represents the many small, versatile vessels that operated on the Great Lakes during the mid-20th century. Built in 1941 and serving under two names, the vessel played a role in regional maritime activity before being documented as lost in official records. While the specifics of its final moments remain a mystery, the last known coordinates provide a glimpse into its historical footprint on Lake Ontario. The Cormorant stands as a testament to the critical yet often overlooked contributions of smaller vessels to Great Lakes maritime history.

KEYWORDS

Cormorant, Russell 4, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Manitowoc shipbuilding, Great Lakes vessel loss, oil-driven propeller vessel, Herman Runge List, Great Lakes maritime history.