Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Etta Belle
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1871 (reconstruction)
- Builder: Unknown (rebuilt from Champion)
- Dimensions: Length 93 ft (28.3 m); Beam 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth not documented
- Registered Tonnage: 94.31 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 61 m / 200 ft
- Location: Approx. 8 miles off Sodus Point, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: 43°20.927′ N 76°54.085′ W
- Official Number: US 8730
- Original Owners: Cape Vincent registry
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, reconstructed from the wreck of the Champion in 1871.
Description
Description
The Etta Belle was built for utility rather than speed, optimized for coal transport with a semi-circular bow characteristic of later 19th-century lake freighters. Her oak hull was sturdy, but her service was short-lived.
History
History
The Champion wrecked at Port Hope, Ontario in 1870. Her remains were salvaged and reconstructed into the Etta Belle, registered at Cape Vincent, NY. The vessel entered the coal trade, critical for fuelling industry and urban centers around the Great Lakes. This construction illustrates the era’s practice of reusing hulls to maintain freight capacity during a shipping boom.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 3 September 1873: The Etta Belle departed Little Sodus, New York with a cargo of coal bound for Toronto. Shortly after departure, she began taking on water due to a weak or improperly sealed hull board on the port bow. Despite efforts to pump her dry, flooding increased under the heavy coal load, leading to the crew abandoning ship and rowing to safety at Sodus Point.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The cause of loss was hull structural failure under load. The vessel was insured for an estimated $2,000, but the coal cargo was lost. Her oak hull, preserved by Lake Ontario’s cold fresh water, rests intact at depth, with coal still visible in her holds.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was discovered in late fall 2003 by explorers Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville. Side-scan sonar confirmed the find, followed by ROV and diver surveys in 2004. The wreck sits upright and intact in approximately 200 feet (61 m) of water, with coal cargo still present. No active NOTMARs are issued, and the wreck lies in deep water beyond recreational diving limits, requiring technical diving or ROV exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”etta-belle-us-8730-champion” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Closing Summary
The Etta Belle remains a significant wreck in Lake Ontario, illustrating the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of coal transport in the 19th century. Divers are reminded to respect the site, as it is a protected heritage site where artifact removal is prohibited. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories.
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
Description
The Etta Belle was a wooden two-masted schooner, reconstructed from the wreck of the Champion in 1871. Built for utility rather than speed, she was optimized for coal transport and featured a semi-circular bow — a design characteristic of later 19th-century lake freighters. Her oak hull was sturdy but her service was short-lived.History
The Champion wrecked at Port Hope, Ontario in 1870. Her remains were salvaged and reconstructed into the Etta Belle, registered at Cape Vincent, NY. The vessel entered the coal trade, which was critical to fuelling industry and urban centers around the Great Lakes. Her construction illustrates the era’s practice of reusing hulls to maintain freight capacity during a shipping boom.Final Voyage
On 3 September 1873, the Etta Belle departed Little Sodus, New York with a cargo of coal bound for Toronto. Shortly after departure, she began taking on water — likely due to a weak or improperly sealed hull board on the port bow. Despite efforts to pump her dry, flooding increased under the heavy coal load. The crew abandoned ship and rowed to Sodus Point, reaching safety. The schooner sank in deep water and was declared a total loss.Final Dispositions
Cause of loss: hull structural failure under load. The vessel was insured for an estimated $2,000, but the coal cargo was lost. Her oak hull, preserved by Lake Ontario’s cold fresh water, rests intact at depth. Today, the wreck remains well-preserved, with coal still visible in her holds.Located By & Date Found
The wreck of the Etta Belle was discovered in late fall 2003 by explorers Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville. Side-scan sonar confirmed the find, followed by ROV and diver surveys in 2004. The wreck sits upright and intact in approximately 200 feet (61 m) of water, with coal cargo still present.Notmars & Advisories
No active NOTMARs issued. The wreck lies in deep water beyond recreational diving limits. Technical diving or ROV exploration is required.Dive Information
Access: Boat charter from Sodus Point, NY Entry Point: Offshore, approx. 8 miles Conditions: Deep cold-water wreck, limited visibility, strong thermocline Depth Range: 200 ft (61 m) Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Buffalo Permits: Required for artifact removal (protected site) Dive Support: Technical dive operators in Lake Ontario regionCrew & Casualty Memorials
No loss of life occurred in the sinking. Crew members rowed safely to Sodus Point. No memorials have been identified; local archives in Sodus Bay and Cape Vincent may contain crew lists.Documented Statements & Extracts
“Buffalo, Sept. 6 — The schooner Etta Belle, of Cape Vincent, loaded with coal, sank in Lake Ontario about eight miles off Sodus Point on Wednesday morning. Her crew escaped safely.” — Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, 6 Sept 1873
“Toronto, Sept. 11 — Schooner Etta Belle, coal laden, foundered on the 3rd near Sodus. Crew reached shore without loss.” — Toronto Globe, 11 Sept 1873
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official number: US 8730. Registered at Cape Vincent, NY. Insured value estimated at $2,000. Enrollment and insurance details are preserved in U.S. Customs vessel documentation records.Site Documentation & Imaging
The wreck has been documented by side-scan sonar and ROV video. Surveys in 2004 revealed an intact hull with visible coal cargo. A 3D model(linked below) is hosted on Sketchfab by Capt. Tim Caza produced in September 2025.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- ShipwreckStories.com – Etta Belle
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Find A Grave
- Sketchfab – Shipwrecks of Upper New York – Etta Belle
References
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, 6 September 1873
- Toronto Globe, 11 September 1873
- Jim Kennard & Dan Scoville, discovery reports, 2003–2004
- ShipwreckStories.com – Etta Belle profile