IDENTIFICATION & VESSEL INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Cornelia was an 86-foot wooden schooner built in 1880 in Clayton, New York, a town renowned for its shipbuilding industry during the late 19th century. Schooners like the Cornelia were integral to maritime trade on the Great Lakes, designed for durability and efficiency in transporting goods across these vast and often unpredictable waters. With a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 8.2 feet, the Cornelia was a small but robust vessel, boasting a gross tonnage of 100 and a net tonnage of 95, making it capable of carrying significant cargo loads. The vessel was officially registered in Cape Vincent, New York, a key location on the St. Lawrence River, serving as a hub for maritime trade in the region.
HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE #
The Cornelia was an 86-foot wooden schooner, crafted in 1880 in the shipyards of Clayton, New York, a town that was a significant center for shipbuilding during the late 19th century. Schooners like the Cornelia were the backbone of maritime trade on the Great Lakes, designed with the durability and efficiency necessary to navigate and transport goods across these expansive and often challenging waters. With a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 8.2 feet, the Cornelia was a relatively small vessel by the standards of the time, yet it was robust, built to withstand the rigorous demands of Great Lakes shipping. The schooner had a gross tonnage of 100 and a net tonnage of 95, making it capable of carrying substantial cargo loads despite its modest size.
The Cornelia was officially registered in Cape Vincent, New York, a strategic port on the St. Lawrence River, which played a crucial role in the maritime trade network of the region. Cape Vincent’s location at the eastern end of Lake Ontario made it an important hub for vessels operating between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. The registration of the Cornelia in this port suggests that it was primarily involved in trade routes that included both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, transporting goods such as lumber, grain, and other essential commodities that were vital to the economic development of the region.
The era in which the Cornelia was built was marked by intense maritime activity on the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Cornelia were indispensable, acting as the workhorses of the waterways, enabling the flow of goods that sustained the growing communities around the lakes and beyond. The shipbuilding industry in Clayton, where the Cornelia was constructed, was renowned for producing vessels that were both sturdy and reliable, qualities that were essential for the often treacherous conditions of the Great Lakes.
However, despite its significance, the detailed operational history of the Cornelia has been lost to time. Records that could have provided insight into the schooner’s specific voyages, the nature of the cargoes it transported, and the challenges it encountered during its years of service are either scarce or nonexistent. This lack of documentation adds an element of mystery to the vessel’s story, leaving many questions unanswered about the Cornelia’s role in the bustling trade that characterized the late 19th century on the Great Lakes.
The Cornelia likely played a crucial role in the economic activities of the region, contributing to the vibrant trade that helped shape the communities along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The vessel’s robust construction and its ability to carry significant cargo despite its small size exemplify the ingenuity and skill of the shipbuilders of the time. Although much of the Cornelia’s history remains shrouded in mystery, its legacy endures as a symbol of the vital role schooners played in the development of maritime trade on the Great Lakes.
FINAL DISPOSITION: ABANDONED IN PLACE #
The Cornelia met its end in 1922 when it was abandoned. The reasons for its abandonment remain unclear, as the surviving records do not detail the circumstances leading to this decision. It is possible that the schooner had become obsolete, with newer, more advanced vessels replacing older ships like the Cornelia. Alternatively, the vessel may have suffered damage or deterioration that made further repairs uneconomical.
When abandoned, the Cornelia was likely left in place, possibly at a dock, in a harbor, or on a quiet shoreline, where it gradually fell into disrepair. Over time, abandoned vessels like the Cornelia were often stripped of valuable materials, left to decay, or eventually removed as hazards to navigation. The ultimate fate of the Cornelia—whether it was broken up for scrap, left to rot, or sunk—remains unknown, contributing to the vessel’s enigmatic legacy.
LEGACY #
The story of the Cornelia is a testament to the many schooners that once navigated the Great Lakes, each playing a crucial role in the region’s maritime economy. While the Cornelia may not have left a detailed legacy, its existence highlights the importance of schooners in the economic development of the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by mariners during this era.
The abandonment of the Cornelia in 1922 marks the end of its operational life, but it also underscores the transient nature of many of these vessels. Today, the schooner’s story is pieced together from the scant records that survive, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of maritime history and the everyday struggles of those who relied on such vessels.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck Database: Provides basic information on the Cornelia, including its dimensions and final disposition.
- Great Lakes Now Shipwrecks: A resource for understanding the broader context of schooners like the Corneliaand their role in Great Lakes history.
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Offers insights into the preservation of abandoned and wrecked vessels in the Great Lakes, although the exact fate of the Cornelia remains undocumented.
CONCLUSION #
The Cornelia represents one of the countless schooners that were once vital to the trade and transportation networks of the Great Lakes. While detailed records of its operational history are sparse, the vessel’s construction, service, and eventual abandonment reflect the broader narrative of maritime life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Cornelia’s story, though largely untold, is a part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes history, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of a bygone era.
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