(Wooden Schooner‑Barge, built 1864; lost August 4, 1851)
(likely misrecorded as “Joseph Ward”)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Built: 1864 by A. Cantin, Montreal
- Dimensions: 139 × 26 × 12 ft; 345 gross tons, 236 net tons
- Type: Schooner-Barge, wooden
- Loss Date: August 4, 1851
- Lake & Location: Lake Erie, anchored off Buffalo, NY
- Cargo: 9,600 bu. corn and 30 barrels of whiskey
Incident Overview
- In a fierce storm, Susan Ward attempted entry to Buffalo Harbor but was forced to ride out the gale at anchor.
- Her anchors eventually dragged, and she was driven ashore—destroyed.
- No crew were lost in the incident; all hands survived.
Summary
Though you referenced John Ward, the historical record more accurately reflects losses under the name Susan Ward. The vessel was a large wooden Schooner-Barge carrying over 9,600 bushels of corn and 30 barrels of whiskey when she anchored to ride out a late summer storm in Lake Erie. On August 4, 1851, her anchors gave way, and she was driven ashore and wrecked. All crew survived.
Next Steps & Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It Matters | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical Naming Errors | To confirm whether “John Ward” is a misnomer | Enrollment logs; newspaper citations referring to loss |
| Crew and Captain Info | To document human element of the incident | Buffalo newspapers; enrollment ledgers |
| Salvage & Clearance Logs | To understand wreck aftermath | Port authority and harbor records |
| Weather Patterns | To correlate storm severity with anchors dragging | NOAA historical wind logs; local weather bulletins |
| Archaeological Evidence | To locate potential wreck site near Buffalo shore | Maritime archaeology records; NOAA maps |