Cortland
Brig · United States · Lost 1868 · The Lake Erie Islands
A prized Sheboygan-built brig, eastbound from Detroit, that sank with all thirteen hands after colliding with the steamer Morning Star in 1868.
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The Vessel and Her Loss
Cortland was a heavily built brig launched in 1867 at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for businessman A.P. Lyman, and was considered one of the finest sailing vessels of her day. On the night of June 20, 1868, eastbound from Detroit, she collided with the westbound steamer Morning Star on Lake Erie. Cortland stayed afloat for about ninety minutes before sinking, but all thirteen of her crew were lost.
Vessel
- 1867
- Not established
- Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Wood
- 195 ft
- 34 ft
- Not established
- Sail
- A.P. Lyman, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Loss
- June 20, 1868
- Collision
- Off Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Lake Erie
- Detroit, Michigan
- Not established
- 13
- 13
- G.W. Lawton
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 41.45° N 82.18° W
- General area only
- Lorain, Ohio
General area only: coordinate of Lorain, Ohio from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, marking the named place of loss recorded for this vessel, not a surveyed wreck position.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (60/100)
The precise wreck location has not been independently established in the sources reviewed.
Build details, ownership, dimensions, collision account, and casualty count.
USGS Geographic Names Information System — Lorain, OH
coordinate of the named place of loss
