IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Cornelia

Type: Wooden Schooner

Builder: Unknown (Built in Clayton, New York)

Year Built: 1880

Official Number: 125865

Dimensions:

•Length: 86 feet (26.2 meters)

•Beam: 21 feet (6.4 meters)

•Depth: 8.2 feet (2.5 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 100 tons

•Net Tonnage: 95 tons

Registration: Cape Vincent, New York

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Cornelia was an 86-foot wooden Schooner built in 1880 in Clayton, New York, an area known for its bustling shipbuilding industry during the 19th century. Schooners like the Cornelia were vital to maritime commerce on the Great Lakes, designed for efficient transport of bulk cargo such as lumber, grain, and other goods essential to the regional economy. Registered in Cape Vincent, a significant hub on the St. Lawrence River, Cornelia was part of the intricate trade network connecting the Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean ports.

HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE

Built at a time when schooners were the primary workhorses of the Great Lakes, Cornelia served as a critical link in the movement of raw materials and goods. The Schooner’s sturdy wooden Hull and relatively modest size made it ideal for navigating Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, facilitating trade between inland and coastal regions.

•Role in Trade: Schooners like the Cornelia were instrumental in supporting the economic growth of the Great Lakes region during the 19th century. Its registration in Cape Vincent highlights its active role in transporting key resources to markets both within and beyond the Great Lakes basin.

•Undocumented History: Despite its apparent significance, much of Cornelia’s operational history remains unknown. Specific details of its voyages, cargoes, and challenges are scarce, reflecting the broader trend of under-documented small-scale trade vessels of the era.

By the early 20th century, vessels like Cornelia were becoming obsolete as steam-powered ships and larger steel-hulled vessels dominated the Great Lakes’ trade routes.

FINAL DISPOSITION: Abandoned IN PLACE

The Cornelia was Abandoned in 1922, but the reasons for its abandonment are not definitively recorded. Likely factors include:

•Obsolescence: The vessel’s wooden construction and sail-based propulsion would have been outclassed by modern steam and steel ships.

•Economic Factors: Repairs may have been deemed uneconomical compared to investing in newer technology.

•Physical Condition: After decades of service, the vessel might have suffered structural deterioration.

It is presumed the Cornelia was left to decay at a dock or shoreline, where it may have been scavenged for materials before being forgotten. The lack of detailed records leaves its ultimate fate shrouded in mystery.

LEGACY

The Cornelia stands as a representative of the many schooners that once crisscrossed the Great Lakes, underpinning the economic development of the region. Its story, while incomplete, serves as a testament to the ingenuity of 19th-century shipbuilders and the resilience of the sailors who navigated these often treacherous waters. The abandonment of Cornelia in 1922 marked the end of an era, as newer, more efficient vessels replaced these once-indispensable workhorses.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck Database: Provides basic details on Cornelia’s service and abandonment.

•Great Lakes Now Shipwrecks: Offers insights into the broader history of schooners on the Great Lakes.

•Save Ontario Shipwrecks: A resource for understanding preservation efforts for similar vessels.

CONCLUSION

The Cornelia, though largely undocumented, reflects the essential role of schooners in the Great Lakes’ 19th-century maritime economy. Built in 1880, the vessel contributed to regional trade for over four decades before its abandonment in 1922. Its story is emblematic of the schooners that once carried the lifeblood of commerce across the Great Lakes, providing a glimpse into the challenges and transformations of maritime trade during a pivotal era.

KEYWORDS

Cornelia Schooner, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century schooners, Cape Vincent vessels, Great Lakes Schooner abandonment