IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Chief Justice Marshall

• Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

• Built: 1830 by S. W. Turner, Cape Vincent, NY

• Dimensions:

• Length: 105 feet

• Beam: 22 feet

• Depth: 9 feet

• Tonnage: 182 tons

• Home Port: Buffalo, NY

• Official Number: None

• Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie

• Primary Use: Cargo transport

• Final Disposition: Wrecked on November 1, 1862, during a storm between Dunkirk and Barcelona, NY, in Lake Erie

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Chief Justice Marshall was a typical wooden Schooner of its era, constructed to transport cargo across the Great Lakes. With two masts and a robust design, it was well-suited for the demands of lake navigation. Schooners like this were essential in the early 19th century, providing a critical link in the trade and supply chain that fueled regional growth.

HISTORY

The Chief Justice Marshall was launched in 1830 by shipbuilder S. W. Turner in Cape Vincent, New York. The Schooner primarily served the Great Lakes, transporting various cargoes between ports. In 1849, the vessel underwent a significant Rebuild, including an enlargement to improve its capacity and extend its operational life.

Owned by Shaw & Kibbie of Buffalo, NY, the Schooner saw decades of service on Lake Erie, navigating one of the most tempestuous of the Great Lakes. Despite its sturdy construction and the skill of its crews, the Schooner faced the ever-present challenges of unpredictable weather, powerful storms, and the demanding conditions of lake commerce.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On November 1, 1862, the Chief Justice Marshall met its tragic end during a violent storm on Lake Erie. The Schooner ran aground between Dunkirk and Barcelona, NY. Historical reports indicate that the vessel was completely wrecked, and all four or five crew members were lost. Some conflicting accounts suggest the crew may have survived, but predominant records confirm their loss.

The storm that claimed the Chief Justice Marshall was particularly devastating, resulting in the sinking of multiple vessels, including the POST BOY and the RUGBY. While the crew of the POST BOY was rescued, the crews of the Chief Justice Marshall and the RUGBYperished. This tragic event highlights the deadly conditions faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the Chief Justice Marshall. The exact location of the wreck remains undocumented, and any remnants of the Schooner are likely buried or dispersed by time and weather.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The Chief Justice Marshall’s wreck has not been precisely located. Its remains, if they still exist, are believed to lie in the area between Dunkirk and Barcelona, NY, in Lake Erie. No modern recovery or exploration efforts have been documented.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

David Swayze Shipwreck File

Great Lakes Ships

CONCLUSION

The loss of the Chief Justice Marshall on Lake Erie in 1862 is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners. Serving for over three decades, the Schooner was emblematic of the era’s reliance on wooden vessels for cargo transport. Its tragic end during a fierce storm underscores the harsh realities of 19th-century maritime life. Though the wreck remains undiscovered, the legacy of the Chief Justice Marshall endures in the annals of Great Lakes history.

KEYWORDS

• Chief Justice Marshall Schooner

• Lake Erie shipwreck

• Great Lakes maritime history

• Cape Vincent shipbuilding

• Buffalo NY shipping

• 19th-century shipwrecks

• Shaw & Kibbie

• Dunkirk NY maritime disasters