Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C.G. Alvord (formerly California)
- Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: L. Shickluna
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: 264 tons
- Location: Just east of Burlington Beach, near Stoney Creek, New York, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: 4389
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The C.G. Alvord, originally named California, was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1849 by the renowned Canadian shipbuilder L. Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. The vessel was designed to transport goods across the Great Lakes, featuring robust construction suited to the often challenging lake conditions. Its size and capacity made it ideal for hauling bulk cargoes, such as grain, a staple of Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century.
Description
The C.G. Alvord began its life as the California, serving for various commercial purposes on the Great Lakes. It was later renamed C.G. Alvord in 1863, marking a new phase of ownership and operation. Throughout its service, the schooner experienced several incidents, including running ashore on Mission Island in Lake Huron during the fall gale of 1864-1865, which necessitated significant repairs.
History
In December 1867, while en route from Detroit to Toronto with a cargo of 150,000 bushels of wheat, the C.G. Alvord encountered a fierce blizzard on Lake Ontario. The schooner became unmanageable in the storm, drifting uncontrollably before ultimately beaching near Stoney Creek, New York, just east of Burlington Beach.
The crew survived but was found in an exhausted and frozen state after enduring the severe conditions. The vessel was declared a total loss, with the schooner valued at $12,000 and its cargo at $18,500.
Significant Incidents
- Ran ashore on Mission Island in Lake Huron during the fall gale of 1864-1865.
Final Disposition
After the wreck, the C.G. Alvord was stripped of all salvageable materials. The valuable cargo of wheat was retrieved, and the vessel was abandoned. The wreck site near Burlington Beach has not been prominently marked or designated as a historical or dive site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the C.G. Alvord are believed to rest near Burlington Beach, but its stripped and salvaged state suggests that little of the original vessel remains. The site has not been documented as a significant dive location, and its condition likely reflects the extensive deterioration typical of wooden shipwrecks from the 19th century.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”c-g-alvoord-charles-g-alvord-california-1849-c-4389″ title=”References & Links”]
The C.G. Alvord was a resilient vessel that played a critical role in Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century. Its final voyage in 1867, marked by a catastrophic blizzard and subsequent beaching near Burlington Beach, reflects the inherent dangers of navigation on the Great Lakes. While the vessel and its cargo were lost, the story of the C.G. Alvord remains a testament to the maritime history of the region and the harsh realities faced by schooner crews of the era.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: C.G. Alvord (formerly California)
- Other Names: C. G. Alvoord, Charles G. Alvord
- Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Build Year: 1849
- Builder: L. Shickluna
- Build Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Tonnage: 264 tons
- Official Number: 4389
- Final Voyage Date: December 1867
- Wreck Date: December 1867
- Location: Just east of Burlington Beach, near Stoney Creek, New York, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Condition: Total loss; vessel stripped, and cargo salvaged
Vessel Type Description
The C.G. Alvord, originally named California, was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1849 by the renowned Canadian shipbuilder L. Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. The vessel was designed to transport goods across the Great Lakes, featuring robust construction suited to the often challenging lake conditions. Its size and capacity made it ideal for hauling bulk cargoes, such as grain, a staple of Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century.
History
Early Service
The C.G. Alvord began its life as the California, serving for various commercial purposes on the Great Lakes. It was later renamed C.G. Alvord in 1863, marking a new phase of ownership and operation. Throughout its service, the schooner experienced several incidents, including running ashore on Mission Island in Lake Huron during the fall gale of 1864-1865, which necessitated significant repairs.
Final Voyage
In December 1867, while en route from Detroit to Toronto with a cargo of 150,000 bushels of wheat, the C.G. Alvord encountered a fierce blizzard on Lake Ontario. The schooner became unmanageable in the storm, drifting uncontrollably before ultimately beaching near Stoney Creek, New York, just east of Burlington Beach.
The crew survived but was found in an exhausted and frozen state after enduring the severe conditions. The vessel was declared a total loss, with the schooner valued at $12,000 and its cargo at $18,500.
Final Disposition
After the wreck, the C.G. Alvord was stripped of all salvageable materials. The valuable cargo of wheat was retrieved, and the vessel was abandoned. The wreck site near Burlington Beach has not been prominently marked or designated as a historical or dive site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the C.G. Alvord are believed to rest near Burlington Beach, but its stripped and salvaged state suggests that little of the original vessel remains. The site has not been documented as a significant dive location, and its condition likely reflects the extensive deterioration typical of wooden shipwrecks from the 19th century.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Conclusion
The C.G. Alvord was a resilient vessel that played a critical role in Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century. Its final voyage in 1867, marked by a catastrophic blizzard and subsequent beaching near Burlington Beach, reflects the inherent dangers of navigation on the Great Lakes. While the vessel and its cargo were lost, the story of the C.G. Alvord remains a testament to the maritime history of the region and the harsh realities faced by schooner crews of the era.
Keywords
C.G. Alvord, California, three-masted schooner, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Burlington Beach, L. Shickluna, St. Catharines shipbuilding, 19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes commerce, wheat cargo loss.
The C.G. Alvord, also known as C. G. Alvoord or Charles G. Alvord, was originally built as the Canadian schooner California in 1849. It was renamed the C.G. Alvord in 1863. The vessel had an official number of 4389 and was a three-masted wooden schooner. c-g-alvoord-charles-g-alvord-california-1849-c-4389 1867-12-14 07:48:00