SHIPWRECK REPORT: ANDREW

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Andrew

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Builder: Bradford and Moses King

•Year Built: 1826

•Build Location: Gates, near Rochester, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 62 feet (18.9 meters)

•Beam: 15 feet 6 inches (4.7 meters)

•Depth: 5 feet 6 inches (1.7 meters)

•Tonnage: 47 34/95 gross tons (old measurement)

•Final Location: Near the lighthouse above the pier, Buffalo, New York, Lake Erie

•Date of Loss: November 18, 1832

•Coordinates: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Andrew was a wooden Schooner rigged for lake navigation, designed for transporting cargoes across the Great Lakes. With a billet head and compact dimensions, it was well-suited for regional trade routes. Built with precision and care by Bradford and Moses King, the vessel was described as a “fine model,” showcasing the craftsmanship typical of early 19th-century shipbuilding on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Early Service:

The Andrew was launched in 1826 and initially enrolled in Buffalo, New York, under the ownership of its builders, Bradford and Moses King. Serving as a small cargo carrier, the Schooner primarily transported goods between ports on Lake Erie and neighboring waterways. Its size and construction made it reliable for short to medium-haul trips across the often unpredictable lake conditions.

Ownership Transfers:

In 1831, the Andrew was re-enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, signaling a shift in its operational base. By the time of its loss in 1832, the vessel was owned by Captain Clifford Belden and captained by Captain McCloy.

Final Voyage and Wreck:

On November 18, 1832, the Andrew was bound for Buffalo, New York, carrying a cargo of lumber from Long Point, Ontario, Canada. As it approached its destination, the vessel encountered trouble near the lighthouse above the pier in Buffalo. It stranded and wrecked on the shoreline. While the exact circumstances leading to the wreck are unclear, the event marked the end of the Andrew’s operational life.

No loss of life was reported in the incident, and the vessel’s last registry document was surrendered in April 1833, annotated as “broken up,” signifying its official demise.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Andrew was declared a Total Loss after its wrecking in Buffalo, New York, on November 18, 1832. The Schooner was broken up following the incident, with no salvageable remnants recorded in the historical records.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Current Status: No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the Andrew. Its remains were likely salvaged or dispersed shortly after the incident.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Andrew is noted in historical records but has not been formally documented or located by modern underwater surveys.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Andrew was broken up shortly after its wreck in 1832. Any potential remains have likely deteriorated or been buried under sediment near the Buffalo shoreline. The site is not documented as accessible for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Database

•Bowling Green State University: Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The Andrew’s brief operational history highlights the dynamic and often perilous nature of early maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Built with care in 1826, the Schooner served as a key cargo transporter until its untimely loss in 1832 near Buffalo, New York. While its physical remains have faded, the Andrew’s story endures as a piece of Lake Erie’s rich maritime history.

Keywords:

Andrew, Lake Erie, Schooner, 19th Century Shipwreck, Buffalo New York, Maritime History, Bradford and Moses King, Great Lakes Shipping