Calvin Snell (C. Snell, Calvin Suello)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Calvin Snell
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built:
• Builder: Joel Norton, Richmond, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 122 ft (37.2 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 278 tons
• Location: Approx. 25 miles from Presqu’ile, Ontario, Lake Ontario
• Original Owners: Solomon Snell, Painesville, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Calvin Snell was a wooden schooner designed for general cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Its robust wooden hull and spacious design made it suitable for moving bulk goods such as stone, grain, and other commodities vital to trade in the mid-19th century. The vessel’s dimensions and tonnage placed it among the larger schooners of its era, reflecting its role in regional trade.

Description

The Calvin Snell was constructed in Richmond, Ohio, by Joel Norton, and was owned by Solomon Snell of Painesville, Ohio. Registered in Fairport, Ohio, the schooner was integral to the bustling Great Lakes trade, carrying cargo between key ports in the United States and Canada.

History

On May 28, 1858, the Calvin Snell was en route from Kingston, Ontario, to the Welland Canal after discharging its wheat cargo. With 70 tons of stone onboard as ballast for stability, the ship encountered heavy weather. Approximately 25 miles from Presqu’ile, Ontario, the hull began to leak severely, likely due to structural failure exacerbated by the rough conditions.

The schooner quickly took on water and sank in deep water, but the crew managed to escape without casualties by using the ship’s small boat.

The Calvin Snell’s loss was a substantial financial blow, with damages estimated at $12,000 (a significant amount for the time). The wreck underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden schooners navigating the unpredictable weather and challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

1. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser (January 15, 1859): The publication detailed the circumstances of the sinking, emphasizing the rapidity of the hull breach and the financial loss incurred.

2. Buffalo Daily Courier (May 28, 1858): The report described the Calvin Snell’s final voyage, including its grounding near Presqu’ile, its wheat discharge at Kingston, and the stormy return journey with ballast. The crew’s successful escape was noted as a testament to their quick thinking and preparedness.

3. Cleveland Herald: Expanded on the events leading to the vessel’s demise, noting that the schooner had recently been refloated from a grounding incident before its final voyage.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Calvin Snell is believed to rest in deep water off Presqu’ile, Ontario, but its exact coordinates and condition remain undocumented. The lack of extensive salvage or archaeological investigation leaves the wreck’s current state unknown.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Calvin Snell’s sinking serves as a historical marker of the challenges faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its story, preserved through detailed contemporary accounts, highlights the resilience of the mariners and the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation.

Resources & Links

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The Calvin Snell’s fate reflects the hazardous life of schooners and their crews during the height of Great Lakes commerce. While the ship’s resting place remains undiscovered, its legacy endures through historical accounts that remind us of the bravery and tenacity of those who plied the Great Lakes’ treacherous waters.