Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.A. Cornwall
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- 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
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
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.