Identification & Site Information

  • Name: C. H. Merritt
  • Official Number: Not documented
  • Date Built and Launched: 1855
  • Builder: Louis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Tonnage: 320 tons
  • Date Lost: October 11, 1865
  • Location of Loss: Cove Island, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Cause of Loss: Storm
  • Cargo: 16,000 bushels of corn
  • Loss of Life: None reported

Vessel Type

The C. H. Merritt was a wooden Schooner, a prevalent vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.Schooners were integral to maritime commerce, facilitating the transport of bulk commodities such as grain, lumber, and coal across the lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1855 by renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario, the C. H. Merritt was a 320-ton wooden Schooner. While specific dimensions are not documented, vessels of this tonnage typically measured between 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters) in length. The Schooner’s design would have featured a shallow Draft suitable for navigating the varied depths of the Great Lakes, with ample cargo space to accommodate substantial grain shipments.Great Lakes Shipwreck Files+1Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society+1

History

Owned by Shickluna and hailing from Goderich, Ontario, the C. H. Merritt was actively engaged in the grain trade, transporting corn and other commodities between ports on the Great Lakes. On October 11, 1865, while en route from Chicago to her home port of Goderich with a cargo of 16,000 bushels of corn, the Schooner encountered a severe storm on Lake Huron. The tempest drove the vessel ashore at Cove Island, Ontario, resulting in her wreck. Despite the Total Loss of the ship, there were no reported fatalities. Great Lakes Shipwreck Files

Final Disposition

Following the wreck, the C. H. Merritt was declared a Total Loss. There is no documented evidence of salvage operations or recovery of the vessel. Given the circumstances and the era, it is likely that the remains of the vessel deteriorated over time or were reclaimed by the lake.

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the C. H. Merritt has been located or surveyed by maritime archaeologists or divers. The exact coordinates of the wreck remain unknown.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the C. H. Merritt‘s wreck site. Given the lack of precise location data and the passage of time, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The loss of the C. H. Merritt underscores the perils faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly those engaged in the grain trade. Her story contributes to the rich maritime history of the region, highlighting the importance of schooners in the economic development of the Great Lakes and the challenges they faced in their service.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: C. H. Merritt, Schooner, Lake Huron, shipwreck, 1865, Goderich, Ontario, grain trade
  • Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, 19th Century Shipwrecks
  • Glossary Terms:
    • Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
    • Bushel: A unit of volume used in the U.S. and Canada for dry goods, especially grain, equivalent to approximately 35.24 liters or 1.24 cubic feet.
    • Constructive Total Loss: A situation where the cost of repairing a damaged vessel exceeds its value, leading to it being declared a Total Loss for insurance purposes