Identification & Site Information

• Name: C.G. Breed

• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (originally built as a Brigantine)

• Year Built: 1862

• Builder: Davidson & Ellsworth, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Dimensions:

• Length: 140 feet (42.7 m)

• Beam: 26 feet (7.9 m)

• Depth: 13 feet (4.0 m)

• Tonnage: 385 gross tons

• Final Location: Approximately 80 miles east of Point au Pelee, Lake Erie

• Coordinates: Not specified

• Date of Wreck: November 14, 1879

• Condition: Capsized and sank in a violent squall; remains at the bottom of Lake Erie

• Accessibility: Wreck’s condition and exact location are unknown

Vessel Type Description

The C.G. Breed was originally constructed as a Brigantine but was rerigged as a Schooner in 1863. Schooner-barges were robust vessels designed for transporting bulk goods, like grain, across the Great Lakes. Measuring 140 feet in length with a Gross Tonnage of 385, the C.G. Breed was well-suited for the rigorous demands of 19th-century shipping. Its design and adaptations over its operational life reflect the versatility required of Great Lakes vessels during this era.

History

Construction and Early Service

The C.G. Breed was launched in 1862 and owned initially by Breed & Green of Milwaukee. Constructed with durability and capacity in mind, the vessel was later adapted to meet evolving shipping demands. By 1865, it had been rerigged as a Schooner-Barge and re-measured at 385 gross tons.

Over the years, the vessel served under several owners, including:

• A. Green of Milwaukee

• Brigham et al. of Milwaukee

• Hemmiter of Cleveland

• White/Wight et al. of Cleveland (final ownership in 1879).

Final Voyage and Capsizing

On November 14, 1879, the C.G. Breed, under the ownership of Jesse Farwell of Detroit, embarked on its final voyage, carrying 24,000 bushels of wheat from Detroit to Buffalo. While traversing Lake Erie, a sudden squall struck the vessel approximately 80 miles east of Point au Pelee.

The violent storm overwhelmed the Schooner, causing it to capsize and sink rapidly. Eight crew members were aboard at the time. Tragically, five of them perished, while the remaining three endured harrowing ordeals before being rescued.

Survivors’ Accounts

The survivors’ experiences offer a chilling glimpse into the chaos of the capsizing:

1. Captain Harry Rose: Thrown into the water, he managed to climb onto the floating floor of his cabin. After drifting for nine hours, he was rescued by the Schooner Abbie L. Andrews.

2. Second Survivor: Swam to the foremasthead and clung to it for 15 hours before being rescued by the propeller Milwaukee.

3. Third Survivor: Reached the mainmasthead, but when the vessel briefly righted itself, the mast snapped, throwing him into the water. He was found 23 hours later by the Schooner Nellie Gardner.

The survivors’ ordeal underscores the dangers of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation, where sudden storms could turn routine voyages into deadly disasters.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the C.G. Breed remains on the bottom of Lake Erie, a silent memorial to the five crew members who lost their lives. Its cargo of wheat and the vessel itself were unrecoverable. The wreck’s exact location and condition remain undetermined, though it is believed to lie east of Point au Pelee.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The C.G. Breed has not been conclusively located, and its current condition is unknown. Given the depth and age of the wreck, any remnants are likely heavily deteriorated and buried under sediment. It remains an intriguing site for maritime historians and wreck hunters, though accessibility for diving is uncertain without precise coordinates.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database

Conclusion

The loss of the C.G. Breed in 1879 is a poignant reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. The vessel’s sudden capsizing in a squall claimed five lives and left three survivors with harrowing memories of their ordeal. The story of the C.G. Breed exemplifies the resilience and bravery of mariners who faced the unpredictable forces of nature while transporting vital cargo across the inland seas. Its wreck remains a part of Lake Erie’s maritime history, awaiting further exploration and study.

Keywords

C.G. Breed, Schooner-Barge, Lake Erie shipwreck, Point au Pelee, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century storm disaster, wheat cargo, Milwaukee shipbuilding, Davidson & Ellsworth, capsized vessel.