History
C.O.D., also known as the schooner-barge C.O.D., was a wooden vessel built in 1873 in Grand Haven, Michigan. It was owned by Kirby, Furlong & Co. and had an official number of 33908. The ship had a length of 140 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 10 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 289 and a net tonnage of 274. The C.O.D. was primarily used for carrying lumber, with a capacity of 300,000 board feet.
The ship’s final and tragic fate occurred on October 22, 1887, when it encountered a severe storm. The C.O.D. was wrecked and stranded approximately three miles east of Port Burwell, Ontario, in Lake Erie. It was carrying a cargo of wheat at the time of the incident. Sadly, one crew member, a woman cook, perished in the storm. The vessel eventually broke apart in a later gale, resulting in its complete destruction.
The C.O.D. had a history of incidents prior to its final loss. In April 1874, it ran ashore in Grand Haven, Michigan, on Lake Michigan. In November 1879, it again went aground north of Grand Haven. The ship suffered further misfortune in August 1884 when it was dismasted on Lake Michigan. However, it managed to be released from this predicament. In October 1886, the C.O.D. was stranded but successfully freed.
During its active years, the C.O.D. played a significant role in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Its loss was a tragic event, highlighting the dangers that sailors faced in navigating treacherous waters and unpredictable storms. The wreckage of the C.O.D. serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners and the risks associated with maritime transportation.
