IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Chief Justice Marshall was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type in the early 19th century used extensively for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Chief Justice Marshall were favored for their versatility and ability to navigate the varying conditions of the Great Lakes. This particular vessel, with a length of 105 feet and a tonnage of 182 tons, was built robustly to handle the rigors of lake navigation.
HISTORY #
The schooner Chief Justice Marshall was constructed in 1830 by shipbuilder S. W. Turner in Cape Vincent, New York. Originally designed for cargo transport, the vessel was employed on the Great Lakes, carrying various goods between ports. In 1849, the Chief Justice Marshall underwent significant rebuilding and enlargement, ensuring it remained seaworthy and competitive in the growing maritime trade.
The vessel was owned by Shaw & Kibbie of Buffalo, NY, a partnership that managed several vessels during this period. The schooner operated primarily on Lake Erie, where it was exposed to the lake’s notoriously unpredictable and often violent weather conditions.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
On November 1, 1862, the Chief Justice Marshall encountered a devastating storm while navigating Lake Erie. The vessel was driven aground between Dunkirk and Barcelona, NY. Reports from the time indicate that the schooner was wrecked, and tragically, the entire crew of four or five members lost their lives. However, some conflicting reports suggest that the crew may have been saved, though the predominant accounts confirm the loss of all hands.
The storm that claimed the Chief Justice Marshall also led to the loss of other vessels, including the POST BOY and the RUGBY. While the crew of the POST BOY was rescued, both the Chief Justice Marshall and the RUGBY were lost with all aboard. The disaster serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, where even experienced crews could be overwhelmed by sudden storms.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the Chief Justice Marshall. The wreck site, like many from this era, may have been lost to time, with any remains buried under sediment or dispersed by the elements.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The exact location of the Chief Justice Marshall’s wreck has not been documented, and it is unlikely that any significant remains have been recovered or identified since the disaster in 1862.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
CONCLUSION #
The loss of the Chief Justice Marshall in 1862 is a tragic chapter in the maritime history of Lake Erie. Built in 1830 and serving for over three decades, the schooner was a testament to the durability and significance of early Great Lakes vessels. However, like many ships of its time, the Chief Justice Marshall ultimately succumbed to the unpredictable and often deadly conditions of the lake. The wreck, along with the loss of its crew, underscores the dangers faced by those who navigated the Great Lakes and serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of 19th-century maritime travel.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Schooner, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwreck Resilience, Cape Vincent NY, Buffalo NY, Shaw & Kibbie, Maritime Disasters
