Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Etta Belle
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1871 (reconstruction)
- Builder: Unknown (rebuilt from Champion)
- Dimensions: Length 93 ft (28.3 m); Beam 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth not documented
- Registered Tonnage: 94.31 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 61 m / 200 ft
- Location: Approx. 8 miles off Sodus Point, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: 43°20.927′ N 76°54.085′ W
- Official Number: US 8730
- Original Owners: Cape Vincent registry
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, reconstructed from the wreck of the Champion in 1871.
Description
Description
The Etta Belle was built for utility rather than speed, optimized for coal transport with a semi-circular bow characteristic of later 19th-century lake freighters. Her oak hull was sturdy, but her service was short-lived.
History
History
The Champion wrecked at Port Hope, Ontario in 1870. Her remains were salvaged and reconstructed into the Etta Belle, registered at Cape Vincent, NY. The vessel entered the coal trade, critical for fuelling industry and urban centers around the Great Lakes. This construction illustrates the era’s practice of reusing hulls to maintain freight capacity during a shipping boom.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 3 September 1873: The Etta Belle departed Little Sodus, New York with a cargo of coal bound for Toronto. Shortly after departure, she began taking on water due to a weak or improperly sealed hull board on the port bow. Despite efforts to pump her dry, flooding increased under the heavy coal load, leading to the crew abandoning ship and rowing to safety at Sodus Point.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The cause of loss was hull structural failure under load. The vessel was insured for an estimated $2,000, but the coal cargo was lost. Her oak hull, preserved by Lake Ontario’s cold fresh water, rests intact at depth, with coal still visible in her holds.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was discovered in late fall 2003 by explorers Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville. Side-scan sonar confirmed the find, followed by ROV and diver surveys in 2004. The wreck sits upright and intact in approximately 200 feet (61 m) of water, with coal cargo still present. No active NOTMARs are issued, and the wreck lies in deep water beyond recreational diving limits, requiring technical diving or ROV exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”etta-belle-us-8730-champion” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Closing Summary
The Etta Belle remains a significant wreck in Lake Ontario, illustrating the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of coal transport in the 19th century. Divers are reminded to respect the site, as it is a protected heritage site where artifact removal is prohibited. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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