IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The CONSTITUTION was a two-masted wooden schooner, typical of the mid-19th century Great Lakes vessels. Designed to carry bulk cargoes such as coal and other goods, the schooner was modest in size but essential for the transportation needs of the era. Its design reflected the practical requirements of Great Lakes shipping, balancing capacity with maneuverability.
HISTORY
The CONSTITUTION was launched in 1835 from French Creek, New York, and served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes for nearly 25 years. Over its service life, the vessel saw multiple ownership changes and underwent various modifications to adapt to the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping. The schooner primarily transported coal, a vital commodity during the period, connecting key industrial ports.
In early November 1859, the CONSTITUTION embarked on what would be its final voyage. Laden with coal and headed from Cleveland to Port Stanley, the vessel encountered one of the Great Lakes’ notorious storms. A southwest gale descended upon Lake Erie with ferocious intensity, whipping up towering waves and creating hazardous conditions for any vessel caught in its path.
The storm’s power proved too much for the CONSTITUTION. Driven ashore near Port Bruce, Ontario, the schooner was relentlessly battered by the gale-force winds and punishing waves. Despite the crew’s efforts to save the ship, the force of the storm was overwhelming. Within two weeks, the vessel had broken apart, its remains scattered along the rocky shoreline. The cargo of coal was lost, and the wreckage became part of Lake Erie’s tumultuous maritime history.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The CONSTITUTION was declared a total loss after the storm drove it ashore near Port Bruce, Ontario. The vessel’s remains were scattered along the shoreline, and its cargo of coal was lost to the elements. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident, but the loss underscored the constant risks faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
- Current Notices: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the CONSTITUTION wreck site. Divers and search teams should consult with local authorities and maritime organizations before conducting explorations.
LOCATED BY & DATE
- Discovery: The wreck of the CONSTITUTION has not been precisely located, and its remains are believed to be scattered along the shoreline near Port Bruce, Ontario.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University
- Great Lakes Ships
KEYWORDS
CONSTITUTION, Schooner, Lake Erie, Port Bruce, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Maritime History, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwrecks
CONCLUSION
The story of the schooner CONSTITUTION is a poignant reminder of the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century. The vessel’s final voyage, marked by a violent encounter with a southwest gale, ended in tragedy as it was driven ashore and destroyed by the storm. While the crew survived, the loss of the ship and its cargo highlights the dangers faced by mariners during an era when the Great Lakes were both a lifeline for commerce and a graveyard for ships. The CONSTITUTION’s tale endures as part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, a testament to the resilience of those who sailed these waters and the unforgiving power of nature.
