Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Conductor
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Constructed in Pigeon Bay, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 250 Tonnage (Old Style)
- Location: Long Point, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Approximately half a mile offshore from Long Point
- Number of Masts: Three-mast topsail schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Conductor was originally a two-mast wooden schooner designed for freight transport. Its single-deck configuration made it suitable for carrying agricultural commodities like flour and corn across the Great Lakes. After its 1853 rebuild, the vessel was converted into a three-mast topsail schooner, increasing its cargo capacity and versatility for longer voyages.
Description
The schooner Conductor was built in 1849 in Pigeon Bay, Ontario, reflecting the growing demand for cargo vessels during the mid-19th century. Initially used for transporting flour between Sandwich, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York, the vessel played an active role in the regional trade economy.
History
In 1853, the Conductor underwent significant modifications in Amherstburg, Ontario. The addition of a third mast and topsail rigging increased its tonnage and sailing efficiency, preparing it for more ambitious voyages.
Significant Incidents
The Conductor was caught in a severe blizzard while traversing Lake Erie. The storm’s ferocity, combined with obscured visibility, caused the crew to lose sight of the Long Point Lighthouse. Powerful winds drove the vessel aground on the southern side of Long Point, approximately half a mile offshore.
As the storm battered the schooner, the crew took refuge in the rigging to avoid being swept away by the freezing water. The vessel’s structure began to disintegrate under the relentless pounding of the waves, leaving the sailors stranded and at the mercy of the elements.
Final Disposition
The Conductor was declared a total loss. It sank during the storm and broke apart, leaving only remnants of its structure scattered near Long Point.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Conductor serves as a reminder of both the dangers of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping and the extraordinary bravery of individuals like Abigail Becker, whose actions turned tragedy into a tale of heroism.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”conductor-1849″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Conductor and Abigail Becker remains a powerful testament to human courage and resilience. Her bravery has become an enduring symbol of the interconnectedness of Great Lakes communities and the selflessness often required in the face of maritime disasters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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