[2] Cora F. Cressey was primarily engaged in transporting coal along the eastern seaboard of the United States from southern ports to the north.

Her high bow is credited with helping her survive a gale in 1924 that caused the Wyoming, the largest schooner ever built, to sink.

Holes were cut in her hull in an unsuccessful bid to improve circulation, and she ended up acting as a breakwater for lobster pens set between her and the shore.

Portions of her fixtures and equipment were removed prior to her use as a breakwater, and survive as display items at the Maine Maritime Museum.

Due to the structural limitations of wooden construction, ships of this size were often leaky, and could not withstand the stresses of heavy weather and sustained hard sailing.