IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CORNELIA B. WINDIATE was a typical Great Lakes schooner of the late 19th century, designed to carry bulk cargo such as grain across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the WINDIATE were the backbone of maritime commerce on the lakes, known for their ability to navigate shallow ports and their efficiency in transporting large quantities of goods. The vessel featured three masts, a wooden hull, and was equipped with the rigging necessary to maximize the power of the wind in propelling it across the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The CORNELIA B. WINDIATE was launched in 1874 from the Manitowoc Shipyards in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, for her owner Thomas Windiate. The schooner was built during a time of significant economic activity on the Great Lakes, when ships like the WINDIATE played a crucial role in moving agricultural products, particularly wheat, between the fertile Midwest and the bustling markets in the East. The schooner quickly became an integral part of the grain trade, routinely carrying cargoes between ports such as Chicago and Buffalo.
In the fall of 1875, the WINDIATE embarked on what would become her final voyage, laden with a cargo of grain from Chicago and bound for Buffalo. The vessel sailed into what was likely one of the notorious storms that frequently swept across the Great Lakes during the late season. These storms were known for their sudden onset and ferocity, often catching ships off guard and leading to disaster.
The WINDIATE and her crew of nine never reached their destination. The vessel was lost without a trace, and despite efforts by other ships to locate her, no evidence of her fate was found. The ship and her crew were presumed lost in the deep waters of Lake Michigan, with no survivors to tell the tale. The families of the lost sailors, desperate for closure, requested that shipmasters keep a lookout for any signs of the wreck during the following spring, but their hopes were in vain as the schooner remained lost.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The CORNELIA B. WINDIATE met her tragic end in the fall of 1875, likely due to the severe weather conditions that claimed many ships on the Great Lakes. The exact circumstances of the sinking remain a mystery, as the ship disappeared without a trace, and no bodies were ever recovered. The vessel was believed to have sunk in deep water at the lower end of Lake Michigan, a location notorious for claiming the lives of sailors during sudden and fierce autumn storms.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the CORNELIA B. WINDIATE. The wreck was lost and remained undiscovered for many years, adding to the lore and mystery surrounding the ship.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
For many years, the wreck of the CORNELIA B. WINDIATE remained undiscovered, hidden in the depths of Lake Michigan. It was long assumed that the ship had gone down in deep water, making it nearly impossible to locate.
Note: The wreck of the WINDIATE was actually discovered in 1986, but this was not widely known until much later, when divers identified the shipwreck. The wreck was found remarkably well-preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed records of ships lost on the Great Lakes, including the CORNELIA B. WINDIATE.
- David Swayze Shipwreck Database: An archive of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, providing additional details on the WINDIATE.
- Library of Congress Historic Newspapers: Newspaper clippings from the time reporting the loss of the WINDIATE.
- NOAA Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: Information on shipwrecks preserved in the Great Lakes, including the WINDIATE.
CONCLUSION #
The loss of the CORNELIA B. WINDIATE is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the unpredictable and often deadly storms that could strike without warning. The ship’s disappearance in 1875, along with her entire crew, adds to the lore of the Great Lakes and the many mysteries still hidden beneath its waters. The eventual discovery of her wreck decades later provided some closure, but the exact details of her final moments remain shrouded in mystery. The story of the WINDIATE serves as a poignant testament to the perils of maritime life in the 19th century and the bravery of those who sailed the Great Lakes.
KEYWORDS #
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