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:

• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Location: Lake Ontario (specific coordinates unknown)
• Final Fate: Sunk following a collision with the propeller Genesee Chief
• Date of Wreck: May 1847
• Cargo: Wheat, valued at $5,000 (1847 value)
• Incident Type: Collision
• Deaths: None reported
• Vessel Name: CUBA (name inferred from historical reports)
• Official Number: Not documented
• Construction: Wooden hull, typical of mid-19th century schooners on the Great Lakes
• Dimensions & Tonnage: Not documented
• Owner & Captain: Not documented
• Depth of Wreck: Not documented
• GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates not provided

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:

The CUBA was a wooden schooner used for transporting bulk goods, particularly agricultural products, across the Great Lakes. These vessels were valued for their ability to carry significant loads while remaining cost-effective. Although the exact dimensions and tonnage of the CUBA are not recorded, it was carrying a full load of wheat at the time of its loss.

HISTORY:

In May 1847, the CUBA was involved in a fatal collision with the propeller Genesee Chief on Lake Ontario. The schooner, loaded with a cargo of wheat valued at $5,000 (1847 valuation), sank rapidly after the collision. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and the crew managed to escape the disaster unharmed.

Financial Impact:

• Cuba’s Loss:
  • Cargo Value: $5,000
  • Vessel Value: $4,000
• The entire vessel and cargo were lost to the depths of Lake Ontario.
• Genesee Chief’s Liability:
  • Owners of the Genesee Chief were required to pay $16,000 in damages.
  • This financial burden led to the Genesee Chief being withdrawn from service on the lower lake routes and sold to Lake Erie operators.

Aftermath:

The collision was a significant financial loss for both parties involved. While the Genesee Chief continued its service on Lake Erie after being sold, the loss of the CUBA highlighted the dangers of navigating busy Great Lakes shipping lanes.

FINAL DISPOSITION:

• Date of Loss: May 1847
• Cause of Loss: Collision with the propeller Genesee Chief
• Condition: The schooner sank rapidly with its cargo; no remains have been located or documented.
• Casualties: None reported

NOTICES TO MARINERS (NOTMARs):

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) exist regarding the wreck of the CUBA. However, this historical incident underscores the challenges of safe navigation in the busy shipping lanes of Lake Ontario.

DISCOVERY & DOCUMENTATION:

The CUBA has not been located, and its exact resting place remains unknown. The wreck has not been explored by modern underwater surveys and is presumed lost to time. Historical records, including reports in newspapers and casualty lists, remain the primary source of information on the incident.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY:

The CUBA likely lies in a state of significant deterioration due to its wooden construction and the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario. The wreck is not accessible for diving or exploration, and any remains that persist are expected to be minimal.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Buffalo Courier
• St. Catharines Journal
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website
• Cleveland Weekly Herald
• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
• Great Lakes Ships C. Patrick Labadie Collection
• Erik Hyle’s Private Papers
• Casualty List for 1847

 

cuba 1847-05-14 07:53:00