Shipwreck Report: Schooner Constitution

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Constitution

•Vessel Type: Two-masted Schooner

•Year Built: 1835

•Builder: French Creek, New York

•Hull Material: Wood

•Dimensions:

•Length: 79.5 feet (24.2 meters)

•Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters)

•Depth: 8.5 feet (2.6 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 130 15/95 tons

•Final Resting Place: Near Port Bruce, Ontario, Lake Erie

•Depth of Wreck: Unknown (Remains scattered along the shoreline)

Vessel Type Description

The Constitution was a wooden Schooner designed for transporting bulk goods, primarily coal, across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were efficient for their time, offering a balance of cargo capacity, stability, and maneuverability. Modest in size, the Constitution was typical of the vessels that served the mid-19th century Great Lakes shipping industry, playing a critical role in connecting industrial ports.

History

Construction and Service Life:

Launched in 1835 at French Creek, New York, the Constitution became a staple of Great Lakes commerce. Over its nearly 25 years of service, the vessel adapted to the evolving demands of maritime trade, with multiple ownership changes and modifications to maintain its functionality. Its primary trade involved the transportation of coal, a vital fuel during the Industrial Revolution, connecting ports like Cleveland and Port Stanley.

Final Voyage and Loss:

In early November 1859, the Constitution embarked on a voyage carrying coal from Cleveland, Ohio, to Port Stanley, Ontario. As the vessel traversed Lake Erie, a fierce southwest gale descended upon the region, creating treacherous conditions. The storm’s powerful winds and towering waves overwhelmed the Schooner, driving it ashore near Port Bruce, Ontario.

The crew fought valiantly to save the vessel, but the storm’s ferocity proved insurmountable. Within two weeks, the relentless pounding of the waves reduced the Constitution to wreckage, scattering its remains along the rocky shoreline. The cargo of coal was lost, and the Schooner was declared a Total Loss. Miraculously, there were no reported fatalities among the crew.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: November 1859

•Cause: Stranding and destruction during a southwest gale

•Location: Near Port Bruce, Ontario

•Outcome: Total Loss of the vessel and cargo. The wreckage remains scattered along the shoreline.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

•Current Notices: There are no active Notices to Mariners associated with the Constitution wreck site.

•Advisories: Explorers and divers should consult with local authorities or maritime organizations before searching for remains, as the site is believed to be scattered along the shoreline and potentially submerged in varying conditions.

Located By & Date

•The wreck of the Constitution has not been precisely located. Its scattered remains are believed to lie along the shoreline near Port Bruce, Ontario.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Constitution’s wreckage is scattered, with pieces likely buried or eroded along the shoreline. The lack of precise coordinates and the passage of time make it difficult to identify specific remnants of the Schooner. The site may appeal to local maritime historians or hobbyists searching for evidence of 19th-century shipwrecks, but formal exploration has not been documented.

Legacy

The Schooner Constitution is a testament to the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. Its final voyage highlights the risks faced by mariners who battled the region’s notorious storms. Though its remains are fragmented and lost to time, the vessel’s history endures as a part of Lake Erie’s rich maritime narrative, reflecting the resilience of those who braved its waters and the unforgiving challenges they faced.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Database

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive archive of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Bowling Green State University: Collections of vessel registries and maritime records.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Historical and technical information on 19th-century vessels.

Keywords

#Constitution #Schooner #LakeErieShipwreck #PortBruce #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipping #CoalTransport #ShipwreckResilience

Conclusion

The Constitution’s history provides a poignant reminder of the constant dangers faced by 19th-century sailors on the Great Lakes. Its loss near Port Bruce, Ontario, during a fierce November storm in 1859, marks a significant event in Lake Erie’s maritime history. While the ship’s wreckage lies scattered and its cargo lost, the Constitution remains emblematic of an era when the Great Lakes were both a vital trade route and an unforgiving challenge to those who navigated their waters.