Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: CONESTOGA (formerly SUSQUEHANNA)

• Type: Steamer (Package Freighter)

• Year Built: 1878

• Builder: Thomas Quayle, Cleveland, Ohio

• Dimensions:

• Length: 252.8 feet (77.1 meters)

• Beam: Not specified

• Depth: Not specified

• Tonnage: Gross Tonnage not recorded in report

• Location: Cardinal, Ontario, St. Lawrence River

• Coordinates: Latitude 44° 46.465’ N, Longitude 75° 23.370’ W

• Depth: 30 feet (9 meters)

• Final Incident: Destroyed by fire, May 9, 1922

• Final Status: Wreck grounded and submerged

Vessel Type Description

The CONESTOGA was a wooden-hulled package freight Steamer built in the late 19th century. Initially constructed as SUSQUEHANNA, the vessel was a workhorse of the Great Lakes, designed to transport general cargo and goods in an era when such vessels played a critical role in regional trade. Its transition to CONESTOGA marked its continued use under different owners and shipping routes, from Lake Michigan to the St. Lawrence River.

History

Construction & Early Years:

• Built in 1878 by Thomas Quayle in Cleveland, Ohio, as SUSQUEHANNA.

• Operated as part of the Anchor Line, a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, renowned for its role in Great Lakes shipping.

Anchor Line Service:

• The Anchor Line’s vessels, including the SUSQUEHANNA, featured a recognizable color scheme of green hulls, white trim, yellow masts, and crimson stacks.

• By 1886, a steel-hulled SUSQUEHANNA replaced the original vessel, and the wooden Steamer was renamed CONESTOGA.

Later Ownership:

• 1906: Sold to Crosby Transportation Company, Milwaukee, WI.

• 1918: Purchased by Lake Port Shipping Company, operated by Canada Steamship Lines (C.S.L.).

Notable Incidents:

• Despite being a reliable freighter, the CONESTOGA was one of the last wooden vessels in a fleet transitioning to steel-hulled ships.

Final Voyage & Incident (1922):

On May 9, 1922, the CONESTOGA was navigating the Williamsburg Canal near Cardinal, Ontario, when a catastrophic fire broke out onboard.

• The fire became uncontrollable, and the vessel was flushed out of the Lock system.

• It drifted until grounding on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

• The cause of the fire remains unknown, though some speculate it may not have been accidental.

Despite efforts to salvage the ship and its cargo, the fire consumed the vessel, rendering it a Total Loss. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among the crew.

Wreck Site Information

The wreck of the CONESTOGA lies in 30 feet (9 meters) of water near Cardinal, Ontario.

• Key Features at the Site:

• The steeple compound engine and boiler are still visible, protruding above the surface.

• The wooden Hull remains, though heavily deteriorated due to fire and time.

• Significance to Divers:

• The site is a popular diving location due to its accessibility and historical value.

• Its shallow depth makes it suitable for recreational divers, but caution is advised due to potential hazards such as debris and reduced Visibility.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs):

There are no active Notices to Mariners specifically associated with the wreck of the CONESTOGA. Mariners navigating the area near Cardinal, Ontario, are advised to exercise caution.

Legacy

The CONESTOGA stands as a reminder of the challenges and transitions in Great Lakes shipping history. From its beginnings as part of the Anchor Line fleet to its final days under Canadian ownership, the vessel exemplifies the evolution of maritime trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Its wreck serves as a significant cultural and historical artifact, providing insights into the construction and operation of wooden-hulled steamers on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database

• Canada Steamship Lines History

• Local diving groups near Cardinal, Ontario

Keywords

#Conestoga #AnchorLine #GreatLakesShipwrecks #StLawrenceRiver #WoodenFreighter #MaritimeHistory #CanadaSteamshipLines #CardinalOntarioWreck #LakeOntarioHistory