Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Annie Mulvey
  • Type: Schooner
  • Build Year: 1867
  • Builder: St. Catharines, Ontario
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 123.5 feet (37.6 metres)
    • Width (Beam): 25.5 feet (7.8 metres)
    • Depth: 11 feet (3.35 metres)
    • Tonnage: Registered at 295 tons (later listed as 309 tons)
  • Owner: Wm. Hall of Toronto, Ontario
  • Location: Rogers & Co. Dock, Toronto, Ontario
  • Status: Scuttled following a fire; later removed

Vessel Type Description

The Annie Mulvey was a Schooner, a type of sailing vessel popular in the 19th century for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Characterized by its fore-and-aft rigging and robust construction, the Schooner was an essential workhorse of the era. The Annie Mulveywas designed for carrying bulk goods, particularly coal, which was a staple commodity transported on the Great Lakes during this period. Its cargo capacity and durability made it a vital component of regional trade.

History

Built in 1867 in St. Catharines, Ontario, the Annie Mulvey became an active participant in the bustling Great Lakes maritime trade. Owned by Wm. Hall of Toronto, the vessel served as a coal transporter, operating between ports on the Great Lakes.

Throughout its operational life, the Annie Mulvey was integral to the economic framework of the region, providing a reliable means of moving essential goods across the waterways. The Schooner’s service exemplified the critical role of such vessels in the industrial growth of the 19th century.

Final Disposition

On August 3, 1885, while docked at the Esplanade in Toronto, Ontario, the Annie Mulvey was consumed by a significant fire. At the time, the vessel was loaded with a cargo of coal for Rogers & Co. Dock. Efforts to save the cargo led to the deliberate scuttling of the Schooner, causing it to settle at the dock.

Despite these efforts, the fire caused irreparable damage, and the vessel was declared a Total Loss. The estimated financial loss was $6,500—a significant amount reflecting the value of the Schooner and its cargo.

In 1886, Harbor Master Morgan Baldwin issued tenders for the removal of the wreck, and the Annie Mulvey was successfully removed. The details of the salvage operation are limited, but the vessel’s remains were cleared from the dock area to enable continued operations.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Annie Mulvey was removed in 1886, leaving no physical remnants at its original site at Rogers & Co. Dock in Toronto. The area has since been redeveloped, making it inaccessible for exploration or diving. While no remains of the Schooner exist today, its story is preserved as a part of Toronto’s rich maritime history.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Annie Mulvey played a vital role in the maritime economy of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Its tragic end at Rogers & Co. Dock underscores the risks inherent in Great Lakes shipping, particularly for vessels carrying combustible cargo like coal. Though the Schooner’s physical remains no longer exist, its legacy as a key player in Toronto’s maritime history remains significant.

Keywords

Annie Mulvey, Schooner, Great Lakes, Toronto maritime history, 19th-century shipping, Rogers & Co. Dock, coal transport, scuttled vessels, ship fires.