E.W. Cross (1856)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: E.W. Cross
• Type: Brigantine (later converted to barge)
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: G. M. Rogers
• Dimensions: Length 132 ft (40.23 m); Beam 26 ft 2 in; Depth of hold 12 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 406 tons
• Location: Off Chicago, Illinois
• Official Number: [Not listed]
• Original Owners: Colborne & Keating, Clark of Oswego, Baldwin & Johnson, J. Prindiville
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Identification & Profile

• Name: E.W. Cross
• Year Built: 1856
• Official Number: [Not listed]
• Vessel Type: Brigantine (later converted to barge)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Number of Masts: 2
• Builder: G. M. Rogers
• Build Location: Oswego, New York
• Original Owner: Colborne & Keating, Oswego, NY

Description

Dimensions & Capacity

• Length: 132 ft
• Beam: 26 ft 2 in
• Depth: 12 ft
• Tonnage (Old Style): 406 tons
• Grain Capacity: 18,500 bushels

History

Operational History

• 1856, May 6: Launched; operated for the Eagle Line
• 1856–1858: Enrolled at Oswego, NY
• 1858, Apr: Damaged in gale on Lake Huron
• 1858, Sep: Sprang leak in Lake Michigan gale; sheltered at Milwaukee, cargo was wheat
• 1860: Owned by Clark of Oswego
• 1863: Owned by Baldwin & Johnson; major repairs performed
• 1863, May: Rigging damaged in bridge strike, Chicago
• 1864: Purchased by J. Prindiville, Chicago
• 1865, Aug 6: Sunk in collision with schooner A. Baensch off Chicago; later raised
• 1865: Converted to barge; tonnage recorded as 301 gross tons
• 1866, Sep: Capsized off Chicago; recovered

Significant Incidents

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: December 1, 1868
• Location: Off Chicago, Illinois, Lake Michigan
• Cause: Capsized
• Outcome: Total loss
• Casualties: Not reported

Final Disposition

Historical Significance
The E.W. Cross had a 12-year operational life marked by repeated mishaps and repairs, indicative of the intense demands placed on grain-carrying vessels in the mid-19th century Great Lakes trade. Her conversion from brigantine to barge after a collision and eventual capsizing off Chicago reflect the transitional phase in lake shipping and the hazards of early commercial marine transportation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the E.W. Cross is located off the coast of Chicago, Illinois, in Lake Michigan. As a confirmed wreck, it may be accessible for diving, but conditions can vary significantly based on weather and water clarity.

Resources & Links

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In summary, the E.W. Cross serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime trade in the Great Lakes, with its operational history reflecting the evolution of shipping practices during that era.