J.C. REEVES (1853)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Vessel Name: C. Reeve Location: Near Oak Orchard, Lake Ontario, New York, USA. Some sources suggest Devil’s Nose as the collision site. Depth: The wreck lies in deep water, though specific depth details are not readily available. GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on the 2009 discovery is 43.3556° N, 78.1883° W. Date of Wreck: November 22, 1862

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The C. Reeve was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel common on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Built in 1853 by F.N. & B.B. Jones in Buffalo, New York, the C. Reeve featured a wooden hull and was equipped with two masts. The vessel measured approximately 119 feet (36.3 meters) in length, 26 feet (7.9 meters) in width, and 10 feet (3.05 meters) in depth. With a gross tonnage of 280 tons, the C. Reeve was primarily used to transport bulk goods across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY #

The C. Reeve had a storied history, including a notable voyage in July 1858 when it sailed to Liverpool, England, carrying a cargo of black walnut lumber. The schooner returned to the United States in October of the same year, bringing back a cargo of crockery. Owned by W.H. Goodnow of Detroit, Michigan, the C. Reeve was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes trade network, frequently transporting goods between various ports.

On November 22, 1862, the C. Reeve was on a voyage from Chicago, Illinois, to Oswego, New York, carrying a cargo of corn. The schooner was navigating the waters of Lake Ontario when it encountered a severe snowstorm near Oak Orchard, New York. During the storm, the C. Reeve collided with another schooner, the Exchange. The impact was catastrophic, and the C. Reeve began to sink rapidly.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The C. Reeve sank within minutes of the collision with the Exchange, plunging into the deep waters of Lake Ontario. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, as the crew managed to abandon ship and board the Exchange before the C. Reevewent down. The loss of the vessel and its cargo was substantial, with property damage estimated at $8,000 for the hull and $6,000 for the cargo of corn—a considerable sum at the time.

The wreck of the C. Reeve remained lost for many years until it was finally located in 2009 near Oak Orchard, New York. The exact coordinates of the wreck are debated, with some sources indicating that the collision may have occurred closer to Devil’s Nose, a known hazard in the area.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the C. Reeve. However, mariners navigating near Oak Orchard or Devil’s Nose in Lake Ontario should be aware of the area’s historical significance and the potential for submerged hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the C. Reeve was discovered in 2009, adding another chapter to the vessel’s long history. The discovery was made near Oak Orchard, New York, though the precise location of the collision remains a topic of some debate.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Due to its location in deep water, the C. Reeve wreck is not commonly visited by divers. The condition of the wreck has not been extensively documented, but as a wooden schooner, it is likely that the vessel’s remains are in varying states of preservation, depending on the depth and environmental conditions.