VESSEL DESCRIPTION #
The COMANACHE was a wooden, two-masted schooner built in 1867 in Oswego, New York. It was a substantial vessel for its time, measuring 137 feet in length with a beam of 25 feet and a depth of 11 feet. The schooner was designed for carrying cargoes across the Great Lakes and had a tonnage of 322 tons. The vessel was painted with the name CAMANCHE on its hull, reflecting the official spelling used in maritime documents.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT #
Early Service: The COMANACHE served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, transporting goods between ports in the United States and Canada. It was a common sight on Lake Ontario and other Great Lakes, where it carried various types of cargo, including grain.
Previous Mishaps: Before its final sinking, the COMANACHE had already experienced several significant incidents:
- 1881: The schooner sank in the Welland Canal and was subsequently abandoned. Despite this early setback, the vessel was recovered and returned to service.
- 1885: The COMANACHE was damaged and stranded near South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. This incident further underscored the risks faced by schooners navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
FINAL VOYAGE AND WRECK #
November 27, 1886: The COMANACHE met its demise on November 27, 1886, during a severe storm near Point Peninsula, New York, on Lake Ontario. The vessel, loaded with a cargo of corn, ran aground on a shoal and sank. Tragically, a local farmer lost his life while attempting to rescue the schooner’s eight crew members. The loss of life and the sinking of the vessel marked a tragic chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping.
Salvage and Rebuilding: Following its sinking, the COMANACHE was salvaged and underwent reconstruction. It was rebuilt under the new name THOMAS DOBBIE, allowing the vessel to return to service, albeit under a different identity. The transformation of the COMANACHE into the THOMAS DOBBIE is a testament to the era’s resourcefulness, where vessels were often salvaged and repurposed rather than discarded.
LEGACY AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE #
The COMANACHE‘s history is characterized by its resilience and adaptability. Despite suffering multiple mishaps, including two sinkings, the vessel was salvaged and continued to serve on the Great Lakes. The decision to rebuild the schooner as the THOMAS DOBBIE highlights the economic and practical considerations of the time, where the value of a vessel’s structure often justified extensive repairs and repurposing.
The COMANACHE is also remembered for the tragic loss of life associated with its final sinking. The bravery of the local farmer who perished while attempting to rescue the crew is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those living and working around the Great Lakes.
CURRENT CONDITION & DIVE INFORMATION #
Wreck Condition: The remains of the COMANACHE likely lie scattered near the shoal where it ran aground. The exact condition of the wreck is unknown, but as with many wooden vessels of this age, it may be partially buried or deteriorated.
Diving Access: Information specific to diving the COMANACHE wreck is limited. Interested divers should consult local diving resources and historical records for more details. The location near Point Peninsula offers potential for exploration, particularly for those interested in shipwrecks with a rich historical background.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
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Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- A database of Great Lakes vessels, including detailed records on the COMANACHE.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
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Great Lakes Ships
- Information on ships that sailed the Great Lakes, providing context for the COMANACHE‘s service and history.
- Great Lakes Ships
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David Swayze Shipwreck File
- A resource for researching shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the COMANACHE.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
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Thousand Islands Life
- Articles and historical records related to the Great Lakes, including shipwrecks like the COMANACHE.
- Thousand Islands Life
