Identification & Site Information

  • Name: CB Benson
  • Type: Schooner Barge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Length: 136 feet (41.5 m)
  • Home Port: Port Colborne, Ontario
  • Final Location: Gravelly Bay, Ontario, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: N42°46’15” W79°14’34”
  • Depth: 60 feet (20 m)
  • Date of Wreck: October 15, 1893

Vessel Type Description

The CB Benson was a three-masted wooden Schooner Barge designed for bulk cargo transportation on the Great Lakes. Originally launched in 1873, the vessel measured 136 feet in length and was robustly constructed to withstand the harsh conditions of both the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Its design included features tailored for carrying coal, grain, and other cargoes over long distances.

Construction and Early Years

The CB Benson was launched in June 1873 and initially operated in the Atlantic Ocean from 1874 to 1877, carrying grain cargoes from North America to Ireland. The vessel was noted for its versatility and adaptability, transitioning between maritime and Great Lakes trade routes.

Throughout its operational history, the CB Benson faced numerous challenges, including:

  • May 1874: Ran aground in Port Colborne, requiring dry docking in St. Catharines.
  • July 1878: Went ashore on North Harbor Reef in Lake Erie.
  • March 1881: Damaged by ice in Buffalo, New York.
  • May 1882: Collided with the Schooner David Dows in Buffalo, resulting in minor damage.
  • November 1884: Grounded in Maumee Bay, Lake Erie.
  • September 1891: Ran aground in Buffalo Creek.
  • September 1892: Blown ashore in Blackwell Canal after being torn from its mooring.
  • August 1893: Grounded again in Buffalo, New York.

Ownership and Rebuilds

  • In 1879, ownership transferred to S.H. Keeler and others of Toledo, Ohio. \
  • In 1885, Albert Hitchcock acquired a half interest in the vessel.
  • The Schooner underwent a significant Rebuild in April 1887 to extend its service life.

Final Voyage and Sinking

The CB Benson’s final voyage took place on October 15, 1893, while carrying a load of coal from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Detroit, Michigan. The vessel Foundered in Gravelly Bay, Ontario, during heavy weather, sinking to a depth of 80 feet (24 m). Tragically, all seven crew members aboard, including the captain, Captain Duff, were lost.

The wreck was confirmed by tugs sent to investigate, and subsequent reports identified the vessel by its foremast and painted black topmasts.

Final Disposition

The CB Benson was declared a Total Loss after sinking in Gravelly Bay. Salvage attempts focused on assessing the wreck and retrieving its cargo. The site has since become a part of Lake Erie’s maritime history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the CB Benson rests in 60 feet (20 m) of water. Though salvaged for materials and coal at the time, the wreck is still of historical significance and is visited by divers. Its condition reflects over a century of submersion, with significant deterioration typical of wooden shipwrecks in freshwater environments.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The CB Benson exemplifies the resilience and hazards faced by Schooner barges navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its history, marked by multiple groundings and collisions, reflects the challenges of maritime trade in a developing industrial era. The tragic loss of the vessel and its crew in 1893 serves as a poignant reminder of the risks of Great Lakes navigation, leaving a legacy memorialized by its wreck site in Gravelly Bay, Lake Erie.

Keywords

CB Benson, Schooner Barge, Lake Erie shipwreck, Gravelly Bay, Port Colborne, Great Lakes maritime history, coal cargo, 1893 storm, Schooner wreck coordinates.

3DShipwrecks Model

CB Benson2022 by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab