W. D. TALCOTT. Also Seen As: W. G. TOLLCOTT

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: W. D. TALCOTT
• Other Names: W. G. TOLLCOTT (alternate spelling in some records)
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Build Information:
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Unknown, constructed at Cattaraugus Creek, New York
• Gross Tonnage: 70 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date of Loss: November 17, 1851
• Place of Loss: Near Sturgeon Point, New York
• Lake: Lake Erie
• Type of Loss: Storm-related capsizing
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Lumber

Vessel Type:

The W. D. TALCOTT was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Designed primarily for transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, grain, and coal, schooners were the workhorses of Great Lakes commerce before the dominance of steam-powered vessels.

Description:

While specific dimensions are not documented, the Schooner had a tonnage of 70 tons, indicating a small-to-medium-sized vessel suitable for coastal and cross-lake trade routes. Schooners like the TALCOTT typically featured two masts with fore-and-aft rigging, which allowed for efficient sailing in the variable wind conditions of the Great Lakes.

Constructed in 1850 at Cattaraugus Creek, NY, the vessel was relatively new at the time of her loss, having only served one year in active service. The Schooner was engaged in the lumber trade, a booming industry during the period, supplying materials for rapidly growing cities along the Great Lakes.

History:

The W. D. TALCOTT operated during a time when the Great Lakes were bustling with Schooner traffic, particularly carrying lumber from Michigan, Wisconsin, and northern New York to Shipyards and construction sites in rapidly developing urban centers like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago.

In 1851, she was engaged in transporting lumber to Buffalo, destined specifically for the Bidwell and Banta Shipyard, an important maritime construction site that contributed to the growing shipbuilding industry along Lake Erie.

Final Disposition:

On November 17, 1851, while inbound to Buffalo, the W. D. TALCOTT encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie near Sturgeon Point, NY. Heavy winds and rough seas overwhelmed the vessel, causing her to capsize.

Fortunately, the crew survived the ordeal, as they were rescued by the Steamer HENDRICK HUDSON, which was operating in the vicinity. The Schooner, however, was declared a Total Loss, with both the vessel and her valuable lumber cargo lost to the lake.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Western New York Maritime Historical Society (WMHS) 
• Historic Great Lakes (HGL) Archives

Conclusion:

The story of the W. D. TALCOTT reflects the perils faced by early Great Lakes mariners. Despite being a relatively new vessel, her loss after just a year of service underscores the unpredictability and danger of sudden Lake Erie storms. Thanks to the timely intervention of the HENDRICK HUDSON, her crew survived, though the Schooner and her lumber cargo were claimed by the lake. Today, she remains a part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie.