IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The C.G. Alvord, originally named California, was a Canadian-built wooden schooner constructed in 1849 by the renowned shipbuilder L. Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. As a three-masted schooner, the C.G. Alvord was primarily designed for the transport of goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel was known for its robust construction, typical of the era, and was well-suited to handle the sometimes harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. The schooner’s large capacity made it ideal for hauling bulk cargoes, such as grain, across the extensive lake system.
HISTORY #
The C.G. Alvord began its life in 1849 under the name California. The schooner served various commercial purposes on the Great Lakes for over a decade before it was renamed the C.G. Alvord in 1863. During its service, the vessel faced several challenges, including a significant incident in the winter of 1864-1865 when it ran ashore on Mission Island in Lake Huron during a powerful fall gale. The vessel sustained substantial damage, requiring extensive repairs to return it to service.
In December 1867, while bound from Detroit to Toronto carrying 150,000 bushels of wheat, the C.G. Alvord encountered a devastating blizzard on Lake Ontario. The severe weather made the vessel unmanageable, causing it to drift uncontrollably across the lake. After a perilous journey, the schooner ultimately beached near Stoney Creek, New York, close to Burlington Beach. Although the crew survived, they were found in frozen and exhausted conditions. The schooner was declared a total loss, with the vessel valued at $12,000 and its cargo at $18,500.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Following its wreck near Burlington Beach, the C.G. Alvord was stripped of all salvageable materials, and its valuable grain cargo was retrieved. The vessel had been owned by Stupinsky & Co. of Detroit at the time of its loss. The wreck of the C.G. Alvord is believed to rest just east of Burlington Beach, but it has not been prominently marked or preserved as a dive site.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the C.G. Alvord was stripped and salvaged shortly after it ran aground. While its exact resting place is known to be near Burlington Beach, there are no records indicating that it is a designated dive site or that significant portions of the wreck remain. Given the wreck’s age and the stripping of valuable materials, it is unlikely that much remains to be seen at the site today.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
