Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Cordelia
  • Official Number: 5056
  • Year Built: 1865
  • Built at: Sandusky, Ohio
  • Final Disposition: Severely damaged in 1882 incident; presumed Total Loss
  • Final Location: Sandusky, Ohio (Lake Erie vicinity)
  • Cause: Collision with dock; split lengthwise

Vessel Type

  • Type: Scow Schooner
  • Purpose: Likely used for short-haul cargo work in protected waters
  • Construction: Wood-hulled, flat-bottomed scow-type Schooner
  • Rigging: Two-masted

Description

The Cordelia was a small, single-Deck scow Schooner, typical of the utilitarian lake trade vessels operating in the mid-19th century. These vessels were prized for their ability to navigate shallow waters and haul bulk materials like stone, lumber, or coal.

  • Length: 17.7 m (58 ft)
  • Beam: 4.9 m (16 ft)
  • Depth: 0.9 m (3 ft)
  • Tonnage (Gross): 31 tons
  • Tonnage (Net): 29 tons

History

  • 1865: Built in Sandusky, Ohio by a shipbuilder named Demors.
  • 1882, June: While manoeuvring at Sandusky’s Lake Shore & Michigan Southern dock, the Cordelia suffered a catastrophic collision. The Hull split in two lengthwise — an uncommon and terminal type of structural failure. She was declared a probable Total Loss at the time.

No further documentation suggests that the vessel was salvaged or returned to service following this incident.

Final Disposition

Declared a Total Loss in June 1882 after splitting open at the dock in Sandusky, Ohio. While not technically wrecked at sea, the severity of the structural damage would have rendered her unseaworthy.

Located By & Date Found

  • Status: Wreck not known to be located or preserved.

NOTMARs & Advisories

None noted.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Cordelia was a small but functional example of the scow Schooner class — integral to the economy of shoreline communities on Lake Erie during the 19th century. Her abrupt end in port exemplifies the hazards even stationary vessels could face. Her loss underscores the fragility of small wooden vessels operating without the benefit of modern navigation or construction standards.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Scow Schooner, Lake Erie, wooden Hull, Sandusky, cargo vessel, dock collision, 19th century Great Lakes, small schooners, local freight vessels.