Identification & Site Information

• Name: Alma
• Former Names: Unknown
• Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Builder: Sarnia, Ontario
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-Masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 107 ft (32.6 m) Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m) Depth: 10 ft (3 m)
• Tonnage: 211 tons
• Date Lost: October 22, 1866
• Place of Loss: Mid-lake, Lake Ontario
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 6 (all hands lost)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Grain

Vessel Type

Two-masted wooden Schooner designed for bulk cargo transport, primarily grain, on Lake Ontario and the connecting Great Lakes waterways.

Description

The Alma was a wooden two-masted Schooner built in 1855 in Sarnia, Ontario. Measuring 107 feet in length, with a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 10 feet, the Schooner had a tonnage of 211 tons. Vessels of this type were commonly used in the grain trade, transporting agricultural products from the interior regions of Canada and the United States to larger port cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The Schooner was part of the expanding mid-19th century grain trade, which played a vital role in the development of regional economies, particularly as agricultural production increased in Ontario and upstate New York.

History:

While specific operational details of the Alma are sparse, schooners like her were essential for transporting grain, timber, and other bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Operating during a period of growing trade and transportation networks, the Alma would have frequently sailed between ports like Toronto, Kingston, Oswego, and Rochester, contributing to the movement of agricultural commodities to market.

Final Voyage and Loss:

On October 22, 1866, the Alma was carrying a load of grain across Lake Ontario when she encountered a severe storm mid-lake. The vessel Foundered in the rough conditions, leading to the loss of all six crew members aboard. The exact circumstances of the sinking are undocumented, but the violent autumn storms that sweep across Lake Ontario are well-known for their sudden onset and devastating effects on smaller, wooden vessels.

No survivors were reported, and the vessel was considered a Total Loss. The wreck’s exact location remains unknown, and the lack of detailed records suggests that the vessel have gone down quickly, offering little chance for rescue or recovery efforts at the time.

Possible Confusion with Other Vessels:
Another Schooner named Alma was reportedly lost near Port Hope, Ontario, in 1877. This may refer to the U.S.-registered Schooner Alma (Official Number 1086), a 61-ton vessel out of Oswego, New York. Given the commonality of ship names and the lack of detailed records, it’s possible that these reports have been conflated, but they are considered separate incidents in maritime records.

Final Disposition:
The Alma Foundered mid-lake and was never recovered. The wreck remains undiscovered in Lake Ontario.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Alma’s wreck site. Lake Ontario contains numerous unidentified wrecks, and the Alma may be among them.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No specific navigational hazards related to the Alma have been reported, but Lake Ontario is known for its sudden storms and rough conditions, especially during the fall.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Ontario Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The Alma‘s loss in 1866 highlights the dangers faced by Great Lakes schooners navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Ontario. Built in Sarnia in 1855, the vessel served in the growing grain trade until her tragic sinking in a mid-lake storm, which claimed the lives of all six crew members aboard. While her wreck remains undiscovered, the Alma stands as a testament to the perils of maritime commerce in the 19th century, when sudden storms and limited navigational aids often led to disaster.

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Keywords: Alma, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Schooner, Grain Trade, Foundered, 19th Century Maritime Tragedy
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms: Foundered, Total Loss, Grain Cargo, Two-Masted Schooner, All Hands Lost