Identification & Site Information

• Name: C.O.D.

• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge

• Year Built: 1873

• Builder: Not specified, Grand Haven, Michigan

• Dimensions:

• Length: 140 feet (42.7 m)

• Beam: 26 feet (7.9 m)

• Depth: 10 feet (3.0 m)

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 289 tons

• Net: 274 tons

• Final Location: Three miles east of Port Burwell, Ontario, Lake Erie

• Date of Wreck: October 22, 1887

Vessel Type Description

The C.O.D. was a wooden Schooner-Barge designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Originally constructed in Grand Haven, Michigan, in 1873, the vessel had a capacity of 300,000 board feet of lumber and was predominantly used to carry lumber and other goods like grain. Its robust design allowed it to withstand heavy loads, but as a wooden vessel, it was vulnerable to the severe storms that frequently ravaged the Great Lakes.

History

Construction and Ownership

The C.O.D. was owned by Kirby, Furlong & Co., an established name in Great Lakes shipping. The vessel served as an essential link in transporting lumber and grain across the lakes during its operational years.

Early Incidents

The C.O.D. endured multiple mishaps before its final wreck:

1. April 1874: Ran ashore in Grand Haven, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.

2. November 1879: Grounded again north of Grand Haven.

3. August 1884: Dismasted on Lake Michigan but was later salvaged.

4. October 1886: Stranded but successfully freed.

These incidents highlight the vessel’s challenging operational environment and the inherent risks of navigating the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage and Tragic Wreck

On October 22, 1887, the C.O.D. embarked on what would become its final voyage, carrying a cargo of wheat. The Schooner encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie and was stranded approximately three miles east of Port Burwell, Ontario.

Despite efforts to save the crew and the ship, the storm claimed the life of the ship’s cook, a woman, marking a somber end to the voyage. A later gale caused the vessel to break apart completely, rendering it beyond salvage and leaving it as a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The C.O.D. broke apart in the aftermath of the storm and sank near Port Burwell, Ontario. The vessel’s remains are presumed to rest in Lake Erie’s depths, though the exact condition and location of the wreck have not been extensively documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the C.O.D. has not been marked as a significant dive site, and its condition remains unknown. As a vessel destroyed in a storm and broken apart, it is likely that any remnants are heavily deteriorated and scattered across the lakebed.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The C.O.D. represents the resilience and vulnerability of Great Lakes vessels during the 19th century. Despite its robust design and critical role in transporting lumber and grain, the Schooner-Barge fell victim to the relentless storms of Lake Erie, a fate shared by many ships of its time. The tragic loss of a crew member underscores the human cost of maritime trade, while the vessel’s wreck serves as a reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation.

Keywords

C.O.D., Schooner-Barge, Lake Erie shipwreck, Port Burwell Ontario, 19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes shipping, storm wreck, wooden shipwreck, lumber transport.