Identification & Site Information

• Name: Belle

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Location of Wreck: Believed to be Belleville, Ontario, Lake Ontario

• Dimensions: 61 feet (18.6 meters) in length, 15 feet (4.6 meters) in beam, 6 feet (1.8 meters) in depth

• Gross Tonnage: 40 tons

• Site Status: Destroyed by fire on December 8, 1886

Vessel Type Description

The Belle was a wooden, two-masted Schooner, a common vessel type during the 19th century, built for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. With its manageable size, the Belle was designed to handle the unpredictable conditions of the lakes while providing reliable service for cargo transport. Schooners like the Belle were essential to the economic infrastructure of the Great Lakes region during the 19th century.

History

Built in 1866 by A. Shaw in Port Dover, Ontario, the Belle served the Great Lakes shipping industry for 20 years. Its versatile design allowed it to transport various cargoes efficiently, navigating both open waters and smaller ports.

• Ownership Timeline:

• 1873: Owned by George Bell, Port Dover, Ontario.

• Later ownership transferred to A. Lee and William Golding of Toronto before returning to Shaw of Port Dover.

• By 1886, it was owned by Joseph H. Smith of Belleville, Ontario.

• Rebuild in 1885:

The Belle underwent significant repairs in Belleville, which indicates its value and continued operational importance.

Final Incident:

On December 8, 1886, while frozen in at anchor—presumably in Belleville, Ontario—the Schooner caught fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but it resulted in the total destruction of the vessel. The cargo, crew conditions, and the exact details of the incident are not well-documented.

It is worth noting that a different Schooner named Belle (65 tons) Foundered in November 1887 near Port Dalhousie. This incident is unrelated to the Schooner that burned in 1886.

Final Disposition

The Belle was entirely destroyed by fire. No attempts were made to salvage or Rebuild the vessel after the incident.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) exist for the Belle’s wreck.

• While the precise wreck site is not well-documented, caution is advised for divers and historians exploring Belleville’s waters for its rich maritime history.

Located By & Date

The wreck was documented immediately after the fire on December 8, 1886. However, no underwater exploration or significant recovery efforts have been reported.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive shipwreck database for Great Lakes vessels.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Repository of vessel histories and shipwreck data.

Keywords

Belle, wooden Schooner, Lake Ontario, Belleville shipwreck, 19th-century maritime history, Schooner fire, Canadian shipwrecks, Great Lakes shipping, Port Dover.

Analysis

The Belle exemplifies the indispensable role schooners played in the maritime economy of the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its destruction by fire highlights the inherent risks faced by vessels, even when out of service during the winter months. With multiple ownership changes and a significant Rebuild in 1885, the Belle served as a valuable asset for its operators until its untimely loss in 1886. This incident contributes to the broader narrative of the challenges and perils of operating ships on the Great Lakes, cementing the Belle’s place in Canadian maritime history.