Identification & Site Information

•Name: Etta Belle

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Official Number: US 8730

•Tonnage: 94.31 tons

•Dimensions:

•Length: 93 feet (28.3 metres)

•Beam: 19 feet (5.8 metres)

•Depth: Not documented

•Construction: Oak-hulled; reconstructed in 1871 from the Hull of the wrecked Schooner Champion

•Owner: Registered in Cape Vincent, New York

•Location of Wreck: Approximately 8 miles off Sodus Point, Lake Ontario, New York, USA

•Depth of Wreck: Approximately 200 feet (61 metres)

•Coordinates: Exact coordinates are undisclosed for site preservation

•Date of Wreck: September 3, 1873

Vessel Type Description

The Etta Belle was an oak-hulled wooden Schooner reconstructed in 1871 from the remains of the Champion, which had wrecked in Port Hope, Canada, in 1870. The vessel featured a semi-circular bow design optimized for cargo capacity, particularly heavy loads such as coal, at the expense of speed. With two masts and a robust construction, the Schooner was typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessels designed for commercial transport.

History

Reconstruction and Service

Built from the Hull of the Schooner Champion, the Etta Belle represented an effort to extend the useful life of vessels that had met with earlier mishaps. It was registered under the U.S. number 8730 and served primarily as a bulk cargo carrier on Lake Ontario, based out of Cape Vincent, New York.

Final Voyage

On September 3, 1873, the Etta Belle departed from Little Sodus, New York, carrying a full load of coal bound for Toronto, Canada. The voyage began under calm weather conditions. However, shortly after departure, the Schooner began taking on water, possibly due to a loose board in the port bow that failed under the strain of the cargo.

Efforts by the crew to manage the water influx were unsuccessful. The captain ordered an abandonment of the ship when it became apparent that the Schooner could not be saved. The crew used a Yawl to row over eight miles to safety at Sodus Point, New York. The Etta Belle sank in approximately 200 feet of water, resulting in a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The Etta Belle lies in deep water, fully preserved due to the cold and fresh environment of Lake Ontario. Half of the vessel’s value was insured for $2,000, but the sinking marked the end of its brief service life. No lives were lost, and the crew’s successful escape was a small solace in the face of the Schooner’s loss.

Discovery and Documentation

•Discovered By: Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville

•Date: Late fall 2003

•Method: Side-scan sonar during a bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg survey of Lake Ontario

•Documentation: Extensive surveys were conducted in 2004 using video recordings and measurements to confirm the ship’s identity. The site remains in excellent condition, with its wooden structure intact and its cargo of coal still present.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition: The wreck is well-preserved due to the lake’s cold waters, which inhibit decay.

•Accessibility: The depth of 200 feet (61 metres) makes the wreck inaccessible to recreational SCUBA divers and suitable only for technical diving or remote documentation efforts.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Etta Belle reflects the ingenuity of 19th-century shipbuilding, where vessels were reconstructed to extend their service life. Its loss underscores the challenges of Great Lakes navigation and the hazards of transporting heavy cargo in wooden ships. The discovery and documentation of the wreck provide invaluable insights into the design, construction, and operational challenges of schooners in this period.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•NOTMARs: No active Notices to Mariners exist for the site.

•Advisories: Mariners should note the general navigational challenges in the deep waters off Sodus Point.

Resources & Links

•Historical Records:

•Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, September 6, 1873

•Toronto Globe, September 11, 1873

•Databases:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Shipwreck Stories Website

•C. Patrick Labadie Great Lakes Ships Collection

•Discovery Documentation: Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville, 2003-2004 surveys.

Conclusion

The Etta Belle’s reconstruction from the Champion and its brief career as a Bulk Carrier highlight the resourcefulness of 19th-century shipbuilders and operators. Its sinking during an otherwise uneventful voyage underscores the risks inherent in transporting heavy cargoes on the Great Lakes. Now a well-preserved wreck, it serves as a time capsule of maritime history, offering unique insights into the construction and operation of schooners during this period.

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•#GreatLakesMaritimeHistory

•#SodusPoint

•#CoalTransport

•#19thCenturyShipping

•#ShipwreckDiscovery

•#TechnicalDiving

•#MaritimeArchaeology