Cora Post by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

DENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: CORA W. POST
• Type: Daggerboard Schooner
• Builder: Unknown (Built in Little Sodus, New York)
• Year Built: 1875
• Location: Howe Island, St. Lawrence River, Ontario, Canada
• Coordinates: N44° 14’ 44”, W76° 18’ 23”
• Depth: 30 to 134 feet (9 to 41 meters)
• Dimensions:
• •Length: 40 feet (12.2 meters)
• •Beam: 12.2 feet (3.7 meters)
• •Depth: 4.7 feet (1.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 13.12 tons
• Net Tonnage: 10.4 tons
• Condition: Wrecked; remains lie at varying depths near Howe Island.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CORA W. POST was a small daggerboard Schooner designed for versatile navigation across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Its retractable Keel made it ideal for sailing through both deep and shallow waters. Built in 1875, the vessel exemplified the utilitarian schooners used for transporting cargo such as bricks and other goods crucial to regional commerce.

HISTORY

Construction and Service

The CORA W. POST was constructed in Little Sodus, New York, in 1875. Its size and design suited it for carrying small yet vital cargoes along busy trade routes on the St. Lawrence River and adjacent waterways. On its final voyage, the Schooner was transporting 15,000 bricks when it collided with the Steamer PRINCESS LOUISE.

Final Voyage and Collision

On a dark night, the Schooner set out on the St. Lawrence River without navigation lights—a common yet perilous practice at the time. Near Howe Island, the unlit Schooner collided with the PRINCESS LOUISE, owned by the St. Lawrence River Steamboat Company. The collision caused the Schooner to rapidly flood and sink.

•Financial Impact: The Schooner was uninsured, resulting in a loss of $3,000, including its cargo.

•Legal Fallout: The PRINCESS LOUISE was seized following the incident, and the Steamboat company was held responsible for the Schooner’s value.

Significance

The collision highlights the challenges of 19th-century maritime navigation, particularly for smaller vessels in shared waterways dominated by larger steamships.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the CORA W. POST rests near Howe Island at varying depths, with some parts in shallow water (30 feet) and others extending into a deep hole of 134 feet. Despite significant deterioration, the site offers valuable insight into 19th-century shipbuilding and maritime practices.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Divers are advised to approach the site with caution due to the significant depth changes and potential entanglement hazards.

•The steep drop-off from 30 feet to 134 feet adds complexity to dive planning.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck is accessible for recreational diving, with parts lying in shallow water suitable for beginners and deeper sections requiring advanced skills. Key features include:

•Wreckage Details:

•The Schooner’s structure is partially intact.

•Visible components include fire tubes, the firebox door, and other machinery scattered around the site.

•Artifacts: The cargo of bricks and other remnants provide a historical snapshot of its final voyage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A repository of historical records for vessels like the CORA W. POST.
• 3DShipwrecks: Features our 3D model of the schooner by Matthew Charlesworth.
• Great Lakes Underwater Explorers Club – Survey 2005: Documented the wreck and its condition for Ontario’s historical archives.
• Local Dive Clubs: Offer guided dives and information on the wreck’s significance.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• ScubaNews Canada

KEYWORDS

CORA W. POST, Howe Island wreck, St. Lawrence River shipwreck, daggerboard Schooner, PRINCESS LOUISE collision, Great Lakes maritime history, shipwreck diving, 19th-century schooners, cargo transport.

CONCLUSION

The wreck of the CORA W. POST near Howe Island serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners on busy waterways like the St. Lawrence River. Its story—from its construction in Little Sodus to its final moments in a collision—reflects the risks and rewards of regional commerce. Today, the site is both a dive destination and a valuable artifact of Canadian and American maritime heritage.