Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Cossack
  • Official Number: 4931
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Built At: Oswego, New York
  • Final Disposition: Wrecked
  • Final Location: Entrance to Cleveland Harbor, Ohio
  • Body of Water: Lake Erie
  • Date Lost: 7 December 1881

Vessel Type

  • Type: Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Purpose: Cargo transport, primarily bulk commodities

Description

The Cossack was a medium-sized Schooner used extensively on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. It had a single Deck and was constructed from wood. Built to carry large cargoes such as grain and iron ore, it featured:

  • Length: 42.4 m (139 ft)
  • Beam: 7.9 m (26 ft)
  • Depth: 3.35 m (11 ft)
  • Gross Tonnage: 318.77 tons
  • Cargo Capacity: Approx. 19,000 bushels

History

  • 1867, Apr 8: Launched by James Navagh for DeWolf & C. H. Smythe of Oswego, NY.
  • 1871, Oct: Damaged in a collision in the St. Clair Flats.
  • 1876: Owned by Lynch & Green; June repairs followed a collision with Schooner Victor.
  • 1877, Jun: Went aground at Morgan Point, Lake Erie, in fog — successfully released.
  • 1879: Owned by R. Daniels and associates, Oswego.
  • 1880, May 14: Transported machinery destined for installation at the new Sault Ste. Marie Lock.
  • 1881, Dec 7: Ran aground during a storm while approaching Cleveland Harbor; vessel sank with cargo of iron ore. Crew escaped unharmed.

Final Disposition

Wrecked during a storm on 7 December 1881 at the Cleveland Harbor entrance. No lives lost. The iron ore cargo and poor weather likely contributed to the vessel’s loss.

Located By & Date Found

  • Status: No confirmed archaeological survey or salvage. Likely buried near harbor approaches or broken up.

NOTMARs & Advisories

None noted.

Resources & Links

  • Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory
  • Donald V. Baut Collection
  • Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
  • Peter J. VanderLinden Notes
  • Newspaper Clippings
  • C. Patrick Labadie Collection

Conclusion

The Cossack is representative of the hundreds of commercial schooners that operated on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its final voyage while carrying iron ore into Cleveland underscores the hazards faced during winter navigation on Lake Erie. While the site has not been formally documented, it remains of interest for regional maritime historians.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Schooner, Lake Erie, Cleveland Harbor, 19th century, iron ore, Oswego, wooden vessel, shipwreck, grain trade, St. Clair Flats, C. H. Smythe.