ALVORD, CHAS G. (1863, Schooner)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: ALVORD, CHAS G.
•Year of Build: 1863
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: St. Catharines, Ontario
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
•Builder Name: L. Shickluna
•Built on Bottom of: California (1849)
•Original Owner: C.G. Alvord, Sacketts Harbor
Power and Masts
•Number of Masts: 3
Hull Dimensions
•Tonnage (Old Style): 308 tons (later readmeasured at 264 gross tons)
Vessel Type
The Chas G. Alvord was a three-masted wooden schooner, a common type of vessel used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the Alvord were primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as wheat, coal, and lumber between ports across the lakes. Built on the hull of the earlier schooner California (1849), the Alvord was part of the trend of repurposing older vessels to meet the growing demand for shipping on the lakes.
History
The Alvord was constructed in 1863 by the renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was originally owned by C.G. Alvord of Sacketts Harbor, New York, and was part of the busy shipping traffic on the Great Lakes.
The vessel had several incidents during its short career. In 1864-65, the schooner was stranded ashore on Mission Island, Lake Huron, throughout the winter, sustaining heavy damage. After undergoing repairs, the Alvord was readmeasured in 1865 with a new gross tonnage of 264 tons. By 1866, ownership had transferred to B.G. Stimson of Detroit, Michigan, and the vessel was registered under the U.S. official number 4389.
The Alvord was primarily engaged in the transportation of bulk goods, including significant shipments of grain.
Final Disposition
The Alvord met its end on December 12, 1867, during a violent blizzard. While carrying a large cargo of 150,000 bushels of wheat, the schooner was driven ashore by strong winds near Stoney Creek, New York, on Burlington Beach, Lake Ontario. The shipwreck was reported, and the vessel was considered a total loss. Given the extreme weather conditions, the crew likely faced significant challenges during the incident, though further details of any rescue or casualties remain unclear.
Located By & Date
No modern-day discovery or exploration of the wreck has been documented. The Alvord was likely destroyed beyond salvage due to the severe blizzard and subsequent stranding. Its remains may have been buried in sand or silt along the shore of Burlington Beach.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no recorded navigational hazards related to the wreck of the Alvord. The site near Burlington Beach remains an area of interest for those studying shipwrecks in the region, though the vessel’s remains have yet to be fully explored or recovered.
Resources & Links
For additional historical context and records, you may consult the following resources:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The story of the Alvord provides an example of the perilous conditions faced by schooners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the winter months when sudden storms and blizzards could easily overwhelm even the most seasoned sailors.
