Identification & Site Information

  • Name: A.A. Cornwell
  • Former Names: None
  • Registration Number: Not available
  • Date Built and Launched: 1855
  • Measurements:
    • Length: Not specified
    • Beam: Not specified
    • Depth: Not specified
    • Tonnage: Not specified
  • Date Lost: October 28 or 29, 1865
  • Cause: Driven ashore during a storm
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Corn(Invaluable, Granger Art on Demand – Official Website)

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes.

Description

The A.A. Cornwell was a wooden Schooner designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were integral to commerce on the Great Lakes, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.

History

Built in 1855, the A.A. Cornwell served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for a decade. On October 28 or 29, 1865, while carrying a load of corn, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The storm drove the Schooner ashore near Erie, Pennsylvania, where it was quickly wrecked. The crew survived the incident, but the vessel and its cargo were lost.

Following the wreck, the remains of the A.A. Cornwell were sold to Detroit wrecking captain S.P. Grummond, who worked on salvaging the vessel for nearly a month.

Final Disposition

The A.A. Cornwell was declared a Total Loss following the wreck. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.

Located By & Date Found

There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.A. Cornwell has been located or identified in modern times.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site of the A.A. Cornwell.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The A.A. Cornwell’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by 19th-century schooners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Erie. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich Maritime History of the Great Lakes region.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: A.A. Cornwell, Lake Erie shipwreck, wooden Schooner, 1865 storm, Erie Pennsylvania, corn cargo
  • Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners
  • Glossary Terms:
    • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
    • Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds of 34–40 knots (63–74 km/h or 39–46 mph).
    • Corn: A cereal plant that yields large grains, or kernels, set in rows on a cob; also known as maize.