(Schooner, built 1817–18 – lost late November 1829, Lake Erie)

Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

Description

Wood construction, Schooner rig; small – only ~32 tons, dimensions of approx. 47 ft by 15 ft, draught 6 ft. Built for revenue service circa 1817–18, later owned and commanded by Capt. Harvey Fitch and Alvah Cable, Buffalo registry by March 1823 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

History

Originally commissioned as a revenue Cutter, Fair Play was converted to private service by at least 1823. Her operational record between 1818 and 1829 is scant. Known owners include Capt. Harvey Fitch and Alvah Cable based in Buffalo. No details of voyages, cargoes, or prior incidents have been independently documented.

Crew or Casualties

Final Disposition

A sudden storm in late November 1829 dragged Fair Play from her anchorage at Erie, driving her eastward along the shore. She eventually grounded or beached near Cattaraugus Creek, NY, where she remained. Some accounts suggest she later floated free and drifted away, but ultimately was lost. Estimated value at loss: ~$1,000 (1829 USD) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Located By & Date Found

There are no known archaeological finds or underwater remains attributed to Fair Play. Given that she was beached and expected to have broken up over winter ice or been salvaged, no wreck site is documented.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories

No formal Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins were produced, assuming wreck remained in shallow beach region and posed no navigational hazard.

Resources & Links

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files — F section WordPress summary entry detailing Fair Play wreck near Cattaraugus Creek, crew, owners, and specs (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • BGSU / Mansfield Accident Index — cited in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files ([hgl], [wmn], [wl], [wmhs]) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Regional newspaper archives (e.g. Erie papers, Buffalo Weekly Herald 1829) may hold contemporary reports; not yet accessed.

Gaps in Coverage & Suggestions for Further Research

  • Crew manifests and identity: archives around Erie or Buffalo may retain arrival/departure logs; payroll or revenue Cutter crew lists could identify personnel.
  • Ship registration logs: BGSU’s vessel lists or the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service enrollment records might yield construction details.
  • Local newspaper coverage: Erie and Buffalo period newspapers (late Nov 1829) could report the dragging and damage; Cattaraugus County papers may record salvage or abandonment.
  • Port authority or marine board files: Erie or Buffalo port records from 1829 may contain incident or marine insurance notes.
  • Underwater surveys or coastal archaeology: the presumed beaching near Cattaraugus Creek may offer near-shore debris if documented; shoreline survey might detect timber ballast or fasteners.

Conclusion

Fair Play was a small two-masted wooden Schooner, originally built as a revenue Cutter in Erie around 1817–18, later converted to private service out of Buffalo. In late November 1829, anchored at Erie, she was driven eastward by a storm and ultimately wrecked near Cattaraugus Creek, NY; her crew of three survived unscathed and she was valued at about $1,000. No physical remains are known, and historical documentation remains limited to registry summaries and wreck lists.

For a full profile: additional archival work in Erie/Buffalo newspapers, revenue Cutter logs, and local port authority records is advised.