Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Erastus Corning
- Type: Three-masted bark, later converted to schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: F. N. Jones
- Dimensions: Length: 204.3 ft (62.3 m); Beam: 35.3 ft (10.8 m); Depth: 14.5 ft (4.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 852 gross, 832 net
- Location: Off Poverty Island, south of Fairport, Michigan
- Official Number: 7239
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally launched as one of the Great Lakes’ last full-rigged barks, the Erastus Corning was a powerful wooden bulk hauler—ideal for carrying heavy cargoes like iron ore. Its size and rigging represented the pinnacle of sail-driven Lake vessels. A refit in 1877 converted her to a schooner rig, reflecting evolving economic demands and navigational strategies.
Description
The Erastus Corning was constructed in 1867 in Tonawanda, New York, and was built by F. N. Jones. The vessel was made of wood and initially launched as a three-masted bark before being converted to a schooner in 1877. It had a length of 204.3 feet (62.3 m), a beam of 35.3 feet (10.8 m), and a depth of 14.5 feet (4.4 m). The registered tonnage was 852 gross and 832 net.
History
- 1867: Construction and launch from Tonawanda, NY.
- 1868: Registered in Buffalo; tonnage recorded as 832.43 gross.
- 1871: Under A.C. Taylor’s ownership, still at ~852 gross tons.
- 1876: Underwent major repairs in Buffalo.
- 1877: Converted from bark to schooner rig.
- 1878: Another major repair, indicating intensive use.
- 1879: Tonnage re-entered as 832 tons.
- 1881 (May): Collided with the steamer Waverly; repaired and returned to service.
- 1882 (June): Chartered between Buffalo–Chicago, hauling coal.
- 1889 (March): Sold to the Lorain syndicate, preparing for Lake Michigan operations.
- 1889 (21 May): Foundered during a heavy gale on Lake Michigan at Poverty Island while carrying iron ore; lost as a total wreck.
Significant Incidents
- 1881: Collided with the steamer Waverly and was repaired.
- 1889: Foundered during a heavy gale on Lake Michigan.
Final Disposition
Caught in storm conditions, the ship was driven ashore near Poverty Island on 21 May 1889. The wreck reportedly stood nearly upright on the reef, with the stern submerged and the bow jutting high—a striking testament to its final moments. Though salvaging was contemplated, underwriters deemed the iron ore and rigging too costly to recover. The stripped hulk remained a landmark for some time afterward; local contractors removed valuable materials but left the wreck largely intact initially.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Although salvage removed much of the cargo and rigging, underwater timbers likely remain. No modern survey has recorded the site, though shallow reef exposure during low water may permit visual inspection in clear conditions. Not considered a dive site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”erastus-corning-us-7239″ title=”References & Links”]
The Erastus Corning is a landmark wreck in Great Lakes history—both for its impressive size as a wooden cargo bark/schooner and for its arresting final stance atop Poverty Island’s reef. The decision to abandon her, leaving her unrecovered, reflects emerging practical maritime economics as steam took over. The wreck invites both historical and archaeological interest, marking the dusk of sail-powered bulk transport on Lake Michigan.
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
- Vessel Name: Erastus Corning
- Also Known As: Erastus Corning (no alternate)
- Official Number: 7239
- Vessel Type: Three-masted bark, later converted to schooner
- Built: 1867, Tonawanda, New York
- Builder: F. N. Jones
- Material: Wood
- Masts: 3
- Hull Dimensions:
- Length: 204.3 ft (62.3 m)
- Beam: 35.3 ft (10.8 m)
- Depth: 14.5 ft (4.4 m)
- Tonnage: 852 gross, 832 net
- Final Location: Off Poverty Island, south of Fairport, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Date of Wreck: 21 May 1889
- Cargo at Loss: Iron ore
Vessel Type Description
Originally launched as one of the Great Lakes’ last full-rigged barks, the Erastus Corning was a powerful wooden bulk hauler—ideal for carrying heavy cargoes like iron ore. Its size and rigging represented the pinnacle of sail-driven Lake vessels. A refit in 1877 converted her to a schooner rig, reflecting evolving economic demands and navigational strategies.
History & Chronology
- 1867: Construction and launch from Tonawanda, NY.
- 1868: Registered in Buffalo; tonnage recorded as 832.43 gross.
- 1871: Under A.C. Taylor’s ownership, still at ~852 gross tons.
- 1876: Underwent major repairs in Buffalo.
- 1877: Converted from bark to schooner rig.
- 1878: Another major repair, indicating intensive use.
- 1879: Tonnage re-entered as 832 tons.
- 1881 (May): Collided with the steamer Waverly; repaired and returned to service.
- 1882 (June): Chartered between Buffalo–Chicago, hauling coal.
- 1889 (March): Sold to the Lorain syndicate, preparing for Lake Michigan operations.
- 1889 (21 May): Foundered during a heavy gale on Lake Michigan at Poverty Island while carrying iron ore; lost as a total wreck.
Final Disposition & Wreck Details
Caught in storm conditions, the ship was driven ashore near Poverty Island on 21 May 1889. The wreck reportedly stood nearly upright on the reef, with the stern submerged and the bow jutting high—a striking testament to its final moments (Angelfire, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files). Though salvaging was contemplated, underwriters deemed the iron ore and rigging too costly to recover . The stripped hulk remained a landmark for some time afterward; local contractors removed valuable materials but left the wreck largely intact initially.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck’s exact position off Poverty Island was documented in contemporary salvage reports from late May 1889 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Angelfire). No subsequent dives, archaeological surveys, or official identifications exist today.
Notmars & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or hazard advisories, as the wreck is no longer considered navigationally hazardous and has deteriorated over time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Although salvage removed much of the cargo and rigging, underwater timbers likely remain. No modern survey has recorded the site, though shallow reef exposure during low water may permit visual inspection in clear conditions. Not considered a dive site.
Significance
- One of the largest wooden sailing vessels to wreck in Lake Michigan.
- Represents the waning era of sail on the Lakes, shortly before steam dominance.
- Wreckage famously “stood on end,” making it a notable visual landmark and maritime curiosity.
- The wreck illustrates the cost-benefit decisions of late-19th-century salvors—where recovery cost outweighed salvage value.
Resources & Links
- Angelfire historical summary provides key wreck details and wreck posture (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Angelfire).
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files offers a broader review of incident context.
- Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory and Dossin Great Lakes Museum archives contain ownership and repair records.
Conclusion
The Erastus Corning is a landmark wreck in Great Lakes history—both for its impressive size as a wooden cargo bark/schooner and for its arresting final stance atop Poverty Island’s reef. The decision to abandon her, leaving her unrecovered, reflects emerging practical maritime economics as steam took over. The wreck invites both historical and archaeological interest, marking the dusk of sail-powered bulk transport on Lake Michigan.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
- Keywords: Erastus Corning, Poverty Island wreck, Lake Michigan, 1889 storm, iron ore schooner, wooden bark
- Categories: Bark-to-schooner conversions, Great Lakes sail-era losses, large wooden shipwrecks
- Glossary: bark, schooner conversion, reef grounding, underwriters’ salvage decisionension