Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Susan Ward
- Type: Schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: A. Cantin, Montreal
- Dimensions: 139 × 26 × 12 ft; 345 gross tons, 236 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 345 gross tons, 236 net tons
- Location: Anchored off Buffalo, NY
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Schooner-barge, wooden
Description
The Susan Ward was a large wooden schooner-barge built in 1864 by A. Cantin in Montreal. It measured 139 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 12 feet. The vessel had a registered tonnage of 345 gross tons and 236 net tons.
History
The Susan Ward was primarily used for transporting cargo, including agricultural products. On the day of its loss, it was carrying over 9,600 bushels of corn and 30 barrels of whiskey when it anchored to ride out a fierce storm on Lake Erie.
Significant Incidents
- In a fierce storm, Susan Ward attempted entry to Buffalo Harbor but was forced to ride out the gale at anchor.
- Her anchors eventually dragged, and she was driven ashore—destroyed.
- No crew were lost in the incident; all hands survived.
Final Disposition
The Susan Ward was wrecked on August 4, 1851, after its anchors failed during a storm. The vessel was destroyed, but fortunately, all crew members survived the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and further research is needed to locate the site near Buffalo shore.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”susan-ward-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
Research opportunities exist to clarify clerical naming errors, document crew and captain information, and understand the aftermath of the wreck through salvage and clearance logs. Weather patterns and archaeological evidence may also provide insights into the incident.
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.
(Wooden Schooner‑Barge, built 1864; lost August 4, 1851)
(likely misrecorded as “Joseph Ward”)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Built: 1864 by A. Cantin, Montreal
- Dimensions: 139 × 26 × 12 ft; 345 gross tons, 236 net tons
- Type: Schooner-barge, wooden
- Loss Date: August 4, 1851
- Lake & Location: Lake Erie, anchored off Buffalo, NY
- Cargo: 9,600 bu. corn and 30 barrels of whiskey
Incident Overview
- In a fierce storm, Susan Ward attempted entry to Buffalo Harbor but was forced to ride out the gale at anchor.
- Her anchors eventually dragged, and she was driven ashore—destroyed.
- No crew were lost in the incident; all hands survived.
Summary
Though you referenced John Ward, the historical record more accurately reflects losses under the name Susan Ward. The vessel was a large wooden schooner-barge carrying over 9,600 bushels of corn and 30 barrels of whiskey when she anchored to ride out a late summer storm in Lake Erie. On August 4, 1851, her anchors gave way, and she was driven ashore and wrecked. All crew survived.
Next Steps & Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It Matters | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical Naming Errors | To confirm whether “John Ward” is a misnomer | Enrollment logs; newspaper citations referring to loss |
| Crew and Captain Info | To document human element of the incident | Buffalo newspapers; enrollment ledgers |
| Salvage & Clearance Logs | To understand wreck aftermath | Port authority and harbor records |
| Weather Patterns | To correlate storm severity with anchors dragging | NOAA historical wind logs; local weather bulletins |
| Archaeological Evidence | To locate potential wreck site near Buffalo shore | Maritime archaeology records; NOAA maps |