Identification & Site Information

• Name: Caledonia

• Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

• Built: 1842, Port Credit, Ontario

• Builder: Jacob Randall

• Dimensions:

• Original: 91 feet (27.7 meters) length, 18.3 feet (5.6 meters) beam, 8.9 feet (2.7 meters) depth

• Rebuilt (1885): 87.5 feet (26.7 meters) length, 18 feet (5.5 meters) beam, 8.9 feet (2.7 meters) depth

• Tonnage:

• Original: 128 tons (old measurement system)

• Rebuilt (1885): 129 tons (Gross Tonnage)

• Final Resting Place: Near Bluff Point, Oshawa, Ontario, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type Description

The Caledonia was a classic wooden two-masted Schooner, designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and capacity for goods like lumber and grain made it a vital asset to 19th-century commerce. Despite its relatively small size, it was renowned for its durability and efficiency in handling the often harsh conditions of Lake Ontario.

History

Construction and Ownership

Built in 1842 by Jacob Randall in Port Credit, Ontario, the Caledonia served for nearly four decades, undergoing multiple rebuilds to extend its operational life. Ownership shifted several times, with notable owners including McMurrick & Co., Robert Moody, T. Herrington, McConn & Co., B. Shaver, and Owen Butler, each leveraging the Schooner for trade and transport.

Operational Incidents

• September 1860: Ran ashore at Oswego, New York, while carrying lumber. Despite breaking in two, the vessel was salvaged and repaired.

• September 1871: Stranded on S. Bay Point. Considered a near-Total Loss but was successfully recovered.

• September 8, 1881: Wrecked during a severe gale near Bluff Point, Oshawa, Ontario. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and it broke apart on September 20, 1881, resulting in the loss of two crew members.

Rebuilds

• 1850: Significant Rebuild in Toronto to restore seaworthiness.

• 1870: Additional repairs to extend its service life.

• 1885: Final Rebuild, slightly modifying its dimensions and tonnage.

End of Service

The Caledonia’s service ended abruptly in 1881 when it was driven ashore during a storm. Despite multiple recovery attempts, the Schooner was declared a Total Loss. By 1886, ownership had passed to Henry Maitland of Brighton, Ontario, marking its final chapter.

Final Disposition

The Caledonia broke apart after being driven onto a reef near Bluff Point, Oshawa, Ontario. The remains were partially salvaged in the 1930s by Gordon Conant, who preserved fragments as historical artifacts.

Located By & Date

The wreck was discovered shortly after its loss in September 1881. The salvaged sections retrieved in the 1930s remain on display as relics of Great Lakes maritime history.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck. The site poses no hazards to navigation.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships Database

• Library and Archives Canada

Conclusion

The Caledonia serves as a vivid example of 19th-century Schooner resilience and the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation. From its construction in 1842 to its tragic wreck in 1881, the vessel’s long service life underscores its significance to maritime trade and its enduring legacy in Lake Ontario’s history.

Keywords

Caledonia Schooner, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Ontario, Port Credit shipbuilding, Bluff Point wreck, 19th-century maritime history, Canadian schooners, Great Lakes trade routes, Jacob Randall.