A.A. Cornwall (1855)

Explore the wreck of the A.A. Cornwall, a wooden schooner lost in a storm on Lake Erie in 1865. A significant part of Great Lakes maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.A. Cornwall
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1855
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Near Erie, Pennsylvania

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes.

Description

The A.A. Cornwall was a wooden schooner designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were integral to commerce on the Great Lakes, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.

History

Built in 1855, the A.A. Cornwall served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for a decade. On October 28 or 29, 1865, while carrying a load of corn, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The storm drove the schooner ashore near Erie, Pennsylvania, where it was quickly wrecked. The crew survived the incident, but the vessel and its cargo were lost.

Following the wreck, the remains of the A.A. Cornwall were sold to Detroit wrecking captain S.P. Grummond, who worked on salvaging the vessel for nearly a month.

Significant Incidents

  • October 28 or 29, 1865: The A.A. Cornwall was driven ashore during a storm on Lake Erie, resulting in its wreck.

Final Disposition

The A.A. Cornwall was declared a total loss following the wreck. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.A. Cornwall has been located or identified in modern times. There are also no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-a-cornwall-1855″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The A.A. Cornwall’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by 19th-century schooners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Erie. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.A. Cornwell
  • Former Names: None
  • Registration Number: Not available
  • Date Built and Launched: 1855
  • Measurements:
    • Length: Not specified
    • Beam: Not specified
    • Depth: Not specified
    • Tonnage: Not specified
  • Date Lost: October 28 or 29, 1865
  • Cause: Driven ashore during a storm
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Corn(Invaluable, Granger Art on Demand – Official Website)

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes.

Description

The A.A. Cornwell was a wooden schooner designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were integral to commerce on the Great Lakes, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.

History

Built in 1855, the A.A. Cornwell served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for a decade. On October 28 or 29, 1865, while carrying a load of corn, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The storm drove the schooner ashore near Erie, Pennsylvania, where it was quickly wrecked. The crew survived the incident, but the vessel and its cargo were lost.

Following the wreck, the remains of the A.A. Cornwell were sold to Detroit wrecking captain S.P. Grummond, who worked on salvaging the vessel for nearly a month.

Final Disposition

The A.A. Cornwell was declared a total loss following the wreck. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.

Located By & Date Found

There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.A. Cornwell has been located or identified in modern times.

Notmars & Advisories

There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site of the A.A. Cornwell.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The A.A. Cornwell’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by 19th-century schooners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Erie. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: A.A. Cornwell, Lake Erie shipwreck, wooden schooner, 1865 storm, Erie Pennsylvania, corn cargo
  • Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners
  • Glossary Terms:
    • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
    • Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds of 34–40 knots (63–74 km/h or 39–46 mph).
    • Corn: A cereal plant that yields large grains, or kernels, set in rows on a cob; also known as maize.
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