Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cormorant (formerly Russell 4)
- Type: Oil-Driven Propeller Vessel
- Year Built: 1941
- Builder: Manitowoc, Michigan
- Dimensions: Not documented; Gross tonnage 18 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 18 Gross tons
- Location: Lake Ontario (approx. 43° 30′ 47.9988″ N / 76° 37′ 9.3″ W)
- Coordinates: 43° 30′ 47.9988″ N / 76° 37′ 9.3″ W
- Official Number: 240399
- Original Owners: Not documented
- Number of Masts: Not applicable
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Cormorant was a small, oil-driven propeller vessel representative of the light utility craft constructed on the Great Lakes during World War II. Built for service and adaptability, vessels of this class handled light transport, towing, and general harbor duties. Its 18-ton displacement and compact design made it a practical support vessel for wartime and post-war operations.
Description
The Cormorant was a small, oil-driven propeller vessel representative of the light utility craft constructed on the Great Lakes during World War II. Built for service and adaptability, vessels of this class handled light transport, towing, and general harbor duties. Its 18-ton displacement and compact design made it a practical support vessel for wartime and post-war operations.
History
Constructed in 1941 at Manitowoc, Michigan, the vessel was originally launched as Russell 4. Manitowoc’s shipyards were active in both naval and civilian production during the war, producing smaller craft alongside large shipbuilding contracts. Following the war, in 1952, Russell 4 was renamed Cormorant, entering civilian service for local transport and utility work across the Great Lakes.
Records indicate that the Cormorant continued in operation throughout the early 1950s, although detailed logs of ownership and trade routes are unavailable. Small vessels such as the Cormorant were vital to maintaining inter-port logistics, supporting larger freighters and regional industries.
Significant Incidents
- The Cormorant is listed in historical sources as lost, with no surviving details regarding the circumstances or year of sinking. Its last documented position corresponds to the provided coordinates in Lake Ontario.
- No cause of loss or recovery record exists, suggesting either an unreported incident or gradual abandonment and submergence.
Final Disposition
The Cormorant is listed in historical sources as lost, with no surviving details regarding the circumstances or year of sinking. Its last documented position corresponds to the provided coordinates in Lake Ontario. No cause of loss or recovery record exists, suggesting either an unreported incident or gradual abandonment and submergence. It remains noted in both the Great Lakes Merchant Vessel List of the U.S. (1959) and the Herman Runge List.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Preliminary footage suggests the wreck is intact and lightly silted, preserved by the low-oxygen environment. The depth prevents conventional access; only professional survey teams equipped with ROVs or deep sub-systems can examine the site. The wreck has not been designated an archaeological preserve, and no salvage or disturbance is authorized.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”comorant-us-240399-russell-4″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Cormorant represents one of the numerous small utility vessels that quietly supported Great Lakes commerce and wartime logistics. While its operational record remains incomplete, the recent rediscovery of its wreck by Aaron Newman and Exploring Our Deep World has re-introduced this forgotten vessel to maritime history. Its story underscores the importance of small craft in the broader Great Lakes shipping network — vessels whose contributions, though often unrecorded, were vital to the industrial 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Russell 4
Official Number: 240399
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Oil-Driven Propeller Vessel
Builder: Manitowoc, Michigan
Year Built: 1941
Dimensions: Not documented (Gross tonnage 18 tons)
Tonnage: 18 Gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: None recorded
Date of Loss: Unknown (recorded as lost prior to 1959)
Location: Lake Ontario (approx. 43° 30′ 47.9988″ N / 76° 37′ 9.3″ W)
Depth: Unknown
Home Port: Likely Great Lakes region (unconfirmed)
Owners: Not documented
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: Not recorded
Description
The Cormorant was a small, oil-driven propeller vessel representative of the light utility craft constructed on the Great Lakes during World War II.
Built for service and adaptability, vessels of this class handled light transport, towing, and general harbor duties.
Its 18-ton displacement and compact design made it a practical support vessel for wartime and post-war operations.
History
Constructed in 1941 at Manitowoc, Michigan, the vessel was originally launched as Russell 4.
Manitowoc’s shipyards were active in both naval and civilian production during the war, producing smaller craft alongside large shipbuilding contracts.
Following the war, in 1952, Russell 4 was renamed Cormorant, entering civilian service for local transport and utility work across the Great Lakes.
Records indicate that the Cormorant continued in operation throughout the early 1950s, although detailed logs of ownership and trade routes are unavailable.
Small vessels such as the Cormorant were vital to maintaining inter-port logistics, supporting larger freighters and regional industries.
Final Dispositions
The Cormorant is listed in historical sources as lost, with no surviving details regarding the circumstances or year of sinking.
Its last documented position corresponds to the provided coordinates in Lake Ontario.
No cause of loss or recovery record exists, suggesting either an unreported incident or gradual abandonment and submergence.
It remains noted in both the Great Lakes Merchant Vessel List of the U.S. (1959) and the Herman Runge List.
Located By & Date Found
Recent deepwater ROV surveys conducted by Aaron Newman of Exploring Our Deep World
(2025 survey using upgraded 4K ROV system) have visually confirmed a small steel-hulled wreck matching the Cormorant’s specifications and coordinates.
The vessel lies upright in cold, clear Lake Ontario water, with hull plating and framing still discernible.
Notmars & Advisories
Current Notices: None issued.
Dive Advisory: The site lies in deep water and is not accessible to recreational divers.
Technical or ROV survey methods are required for further documentation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Preliminary footage suggests the wreck is intact and lightly silted, preserved by the low-oxygen environment.
The depth prevents conventional access; only professional survey teams equipped with ROVs or deep sub-systems can examine the site.
The wreck has not been designated an archaeological preserve, and no salvage or disturbance is authorized.
Video Gallery — Cormorant (Lake Ontario Deepwater Survey 2025)
All footage courtesy of Exploring Our Deep World, directed by Aaron Newman.
Exploring Our Deep World is dedicated to education, conservation, scientific research, and the exploration of the deep waters of our world.
Video Gallery — Cormorant (Lake Ontario Deepwater Survey 2025)
All footage courtesy of Exploring Our Deep World, directed by Aaron Newman.
Exploring Our Deep World is an organization dedicated to education, conservation, scientific research, and exploration of the deep waters of our world.
Produced By: Exploring Our Deep World / Aaron Newman
Depth of Filming: Approx. 400–500 ft (122–152 m)
Platform: Upgraded 4K ROV System (2025 Model)
Camera System: Dual 4K HD Imaging / Low-Light Navigation Suite
Filming Location: Lake Ontario — Offshore wreck site near Pulaski, NY
Preservation Status: Upright, lightly silted, structurally intact
Usage Notes: © Exploring Our Deep World / Aaron Newman — used with permission for educational and historical reference.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- National Park Service Maritime Heritage Program
- Wisconsin Shipwreck Research Program
- Find A Grave — Crew Search
Conclusion
The Cormorant represents one of the numerous small utility vessels that quietly supported Great Lakes commerce and wartime logistics.
While its operational record remains incomplete, the recent rediscovery of its wreck by Aaron Newman and Exploring Our Deep World has re-introduced this forgotten vessel to maritime history.
Its story underscores the importance of small craft in the broader Great Lakes shipping network — vessels whose contributions, though often unrecorded, were vital to the industrial era.
Keywords
#Cormorant #Russell4 #GreatLakesShipwreck #LakeOntario #MaritimeHistory #SmallVessels #LostVessel #ExploringOurDeepWorld #4KROV #ShotlineDiving
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Russell 4
Official Number: 240399
Coordinates: 43° 30′ 47.9988″ N / 76° 37′ 9.3″ W
Depth: Approx. 400–500 ft (122–152 m)
Location Description: Offshore Lake Ontario, south of Pulaski, New York
Vessel Type: Oil-Driven Propeller Vessel
Material: Steel
Dimensions: Not recorded (18 Gross Tons)
Condition: Upright / Intact / Silted
Cause of Loss: Unknown
Discovery Date: 2025
Discovered By: Aaron Newman / Exploring Our Deep World
Method: ROV Deep Survey (4K ROV Platform)
Legal Notes: Documented loss — Coordinates for research use only
Hazards: None to navigation
Permits Required: None for observation; no disturbance authorized