ETTA BELLE U8730

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Etta Belle
Official Number: US 8730
Type: Wooden schooner
Tonnage: 94.31 tons
Length: 93 feet (28.3 meters)
Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters)
Depth: Not documented
Construction: Oak-hulled, originally built from the hull of the schooner Champion
Year Built: Reconstructed in 1871 (from the hull of the wrecked Champion)
Owner: Registered home port in Cape Vincent, New York
Location of Wreck: Approximately 8 miles off Sodus Point, Lake Ontario, New York, USA
Depth of Wreck: Approximately 200 feet (61 meters)
GPS Coordinates: Exact coordinates are not publicly disclosed to protect the site
Date of Wreck: September 3, 1873

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Etta Belle was a wooden schooner with an oak hull, reconstructed in 1871 using the hull of the Champion, which had wrecked in Port Hope, Canada, in 1870. The schooner measured 93 feet in length, with a beam of 19 feet, and was equipped with two masts. The vessel featured a semi-circular bow design, which allowed for increased cargo space at the expense of speed, making it well-suited for transporting heavy cargo like coal. The Etta Belle was registered under the U.S. number 8730 and had its home port in Cape Vincent, New York.

HISTORY #

The Etta Belle had a brief but eventful career on the Great Lakes following its reconstruction in 1871. The schooner was used primarily for transporting bulk cargoes across Lake Ontario. On September 3, 1873, the Etta Belle set sail from Little Sodus, New York, bound for Toronto, Canada, carrying a full load of coal. The weather was relatively calm when the vessel embarked on its journey.

Shortly after setting sail, the schooner began to take on water. The captain quickly discovered that a substantial leak had developed in the port bow area, below the waterline. Despite the crew’s best efforts to pump out the water, the influx was too great, and the schooner began to sink. The situation likely worsened as the ship encountered swells after departing Little Sodus, possibly due to a loose board in the side of the vessel, which may have resulted from the loading of the cargo.

Realizing that the schooner could not be saved, the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship. The crew quickly launched a small yawl and rowed over eight miles to reach the safety of Sodus Point, New York. The Etta Belle sank in deep water approximately eight miles off the coast, becoming a total loss. Half of the vessel was insured for $2,000, but the sinking marked the end of the Etta Belle‘s short-lived service on Lake Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Etta Belle sank on September 3, 1873, in approximately 200 feet (61 meters) of water, eight miles off Sodus Point, Lake Ontario. The schooner was fully loaded with coal at the time of its sinking. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape the sinking vessel in a small boat and made it safely to shore.

The wreck of the Etta Belle was discovered in late fall 2003 by shipwreck enthusiasts Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville using side-scan sonar equipment. The wreck lies at a depth that makes it inaccessible to recreational SCUBA divers. The following year, in the 2004 diving season, the wreck was extensively documented through video recordings, measurements, and cargo inspection. The identity of the shipwreck was confirmed based on enrollment papers for the Etta Belle.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Etta Belle. However, the deep waters off Sodus Point where the schooner lies are known for their challenging navigation conditions.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the Etta Belle was located in late fall 2003 by Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville during a bottom survey of Lake Ontario. The schooner was found in approximately 200 feet (61 meters) of water.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the Etta Belle lies in deep water, making it inaccessible to recreational SCUBA divers. The site was extensively documented in 2004 through video recordings, measurements, and inspection of the cargo. The wreck remains in good condition due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario, which have helped preserve the wooden structure.