Shipwreck Report: W.S. CROSTHWAITE
Identification & Site Information
• Name and Former Names: W.S. Crosthwaite (no known former names)
• Registration Number(s): U.S. Official Number 80344
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1873, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Measurements:
• Gross Tonnage: 673.20 tons
• Net Tonnage: 639.54 tons
• Date Lost/Incident: Thursday evening (specific year unspecified in the data provided), during a heavy squall off Conneaut, Ohio. The ship was not lost but significantly damaged.
Vessel Type
Three-masted wooden Schooner.
Description
The W.S. Crosthwaite was a wooden Schooner primarily engaged in freight transportation on the Great Lakes. Constructed in East Saginaw, Michigan, the vessel was known for its significant cargo capacity and durability as a typical Schooner of its time. Its Gross Tonnage of 673.20 tons and Net Tonnage of 639.54 tons made it a key component in the shipping of commodities like flaxseed across the region.
History
The W.S. Crosthwaite was owned by Mr. John Kelderhouse and Captain McIlvee, with its home port listed as Sandusky, Ohio. During its operational life, the Schooner regularly sailed between major Great Lakes ports, carrying various cargoes. On the fateful voyage from Chicago to Buffalo, the vessel was loaded with flaxseed when it encountered a severe squall off Conneaut, Ohio. The storm caused the mainmast to snap below the head, damaged the foremast’s cross tree, and sprung the mizzen mast. The extent of the damage incapacitated the vessel.
The Tug ANNA P. DORR was dispatched to assist the distressed Schooner and successfully towed her to Buffalo, New York. Repairs to the damage were extensive and estimated at $2,000, a significant expense during that time. The event highlighted the risks of maritime trade during the era, where ships often faced the full brunt of unpredictable weather.
Final Dispositions
The W.S. Crosthwaite survived this incident and was repaired in Buffalo. However, specific details about its ultimate fate or final disposition remain unavailable in the data provided.
Located By & Date Found
Nil Returns: The ship was towed to Buffalo for repairs and was not reported as lost.
NOTMARs & Advisories
Nil Returns: The incident does not indicate ongoing navigational warnings or hazards related to the vessel’s location.
Resources & Links
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
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