Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cortez
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Sandy Creek, near Ellisburgh, New York
- Coordinates: Approx. 43.7° N, 76.0° W (estimated)
- Original Owners: M.J. Cummings, Oswego, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Cortez was a wooden-hulled schooner, designed for transporting bulk cargo such as grain, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Cortez were essential to 19th-century commerce, though their wooden frames were highly vulnerable to storm damage and groundings.
Description
The Cortez was a wooden-hulled schooner, designed for transporting bulk cargo such as grain, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Cortez were essential to 19th-century commerce, though their wooden frames were highly vulnerable to storm damage and groundings.
History
- November 1880: The Cortez departed Milwaukee carrying 19,000 bushels of wheat bound for Oswego, New York.
- 13 November 1880: The schooner ran aground at Sandy Creek during rough weather, approximately 20 miles east of Oswego. The crew escaped unharmed.
- Inspection: Surveyed by Capt. George McLeod and others, who determined the vessel was a total loss. Cargo was scattered along the shoreline.
Significant Incidents
The wreck sparked criticism of the Big Sandy Creek life-saving crew, with accusations of negligence. A formal investigation by Capt. D.P. Dobbins cleared the crew, citing extreme weather and difficult terrain as causes for their delayed response. The citizens of Ellisburgh defended the rescuers, acknowledging the risks faced by life-saving personnel.
Final Disposition
The Cortez was declared a total loss. Abandoned in place, the schooner broke apart in the surf and eventually disappeared. Its cargo was unsalvageable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The story of the Cortez reflects the dangers of late-season navigation on Lake Ontario and the often unrealistic expectations placed on life-saving crews. Though little physical evidence remains, the vessel’s loss is remembered as part of the region’s maritime heritage and the perils of Great Lakes trade.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”cortez” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, remember to respect the site of the Cortez. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and consider removing any garbage to leave the site better than you found it.
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
Name: Cortez
Type: Wooden schooner
Year Built: Not specified
Owner: M.J. Cummings, Oswego, New York
Date of Loss: 13 November 1880
Cause of Loss: Grounding in rough weather
Cargo on Final Voyage: 19,000 bushels of wheat
Final Location: Sandy Creek, Lake Ontario, near Ellisburgh, New York
Coordinates: Approx. 43.7° N, 76.0° W (estimated)
Depth: Shallow, shoreline grounding
Crew: Survived; no fatalities
Vessel Type Description
The Cortez was a wooden-hulled schooner, designed for transporting bulk cargo such as grain, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Cortez were essential to 19th-century commerce, though their wooden frames were highly vulnerable to storm damage and groundings.
History
- November 1880: The Cortez departed Milwaukee carrying 19,000 bushels of wheat bound for Oswego, New York.
- 13 November 1880: The schooner ran aground at Sandy Creek during rough weather, approximately 20 miles east of Oswego. The crew escaped unharmed.
- Inspection: Surveyed by Capt. George McLeod and others, who determined the vessel was a total loss. Cargo was scattered along the shoreline.
Investigations and Controversy
The wreck sparked criticism of the Big Sandy Creek life-saving crew, with accusations of negligence. A formal investigation by Capt. D.P. Dobbins cleared the crew, citing extreme weather and difficult terrain as causes for their delayed response. The citizens of Ellisburgh defended the rescuers, acknowledging the risks faced by life-saving personnel.
Final Disposition
The Cortez was declared a total loss. Abandoned in place, the schooner broke apart in the surf and eventually disappeared. Its cargo was unsalvageable.
Legacy and Historical Significance
The story of the Cortez reflects the dangers of late-season navigation on Lake Ontario and the often unrealistic expectations placed on life-saving crews. Though little physical evidence remains, the vessel’s loss is remembered as part of the region’s maritime heritage and the perils of Great Lakes trade.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Historical newspaper archives (November 1880) – Ellisburgh and Oswego reports
Keywords
Cortez • Lake Ontario shipwreck • Sandy Creek wreck • Schooner loss • 19th-century maritime trade
cortez 1880-11-13 07:54:00