History #
On the day of its loss, the Ceres was bound from Oswego to Cleveland, carrying a cargo that included pig iron, 300 barrels of salt, and merchandise. The schooner encountered a squall and sank approximately 4-5 miles off Chagrin River in Lake Erie, in about 60 feet of water. Unfortunately, all five crew members on board perished in the incident.
Efforts were made in the following weeks to raise the wreck of the Ceres. The vessel was owned by Lansing & Weed of Oswego, and the master was Captain L. Morris. It is worth noting that the Ceres was also identified as the “Gen. Houston,” although there is no vessel by that name listed in contemporary ship records.
News reports from the time described the shipwreck and the recovery of bodies. Three bodies were found ashore, and their identities were partially established. One of the bodies carried a receipted bill made to Isaac Coolidge by Robinson, White & Williams. Another body had the letters “W. S. B.” inked on the right wrist and an anchor on the left hand. The third body was that of an unidentified boy, approximately 16 years old.
The Ceres was lost during a severe storm, emphasizing the risks faced by mariners on Lake Erie. The vessel’s sinking was a tragic event, resulting in the loss of all crew members aboard.
