IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CAPE HORN was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was particularly common on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were known for their fore-and-aft rig, which allowed them to sail closer to the wind than square-rigged vessels. The CAPE HORN was built for cargo transport and had typical dimensions for schooners of its time, with a sturdy construction to handle the varying weather conditions of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The CAPE HORN was constructed in 1857 by William Barker in Huron, Ohio. It was a robust vessel with a gross tonnage of 214 tons, serving mainly in the cargo trade on the Great Lakes. Throughout its service life, the schooner had several owners, including Benjamin Eyster, A.W. Meeker, Darling & Bell, and was associated with various ports, including Sandusky, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois.
On May 9, 1873, the CAPE HORN was involved in a significant collision while upbound on Lake Erie near Long Point. The ship encountered heavy fog and collided with the iron propeller JAVA. The force of the collision caused the CAPE HORN to capsize rapidly, filling with water and leaving the crew in peril. Most of the crew managed to escape to the JAVA, but tragically, the ship’s captain and the female cook were lost. The captain’s attempts to rescue the cook were in vain, and she drowned.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Despite being reported as a total loss in a court case in 1877, the CAPE HORN was recovered shortly after the collision in 1873. It underwent significant repairs and continued to serve under various owners until it was finally abandoned in 1910. The schooner had been rebuilt in Buffalo, New York, in July 1873 and saw service well into the 20th century before it was ultimately deemed unfit for further use.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are currently no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the CAPE HORN.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The CAPE HORN was not a wreckage find as it was recovered and continued in use after the 1873 collision.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The final abandonment of the CAPE HORN in 1910 suggests that the vessel was likely left to deteriorate naturally. There are no specific details available on the current condition of any remains that might still exist.
