The Wreck of the Duke of Richmond (1826)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Duke of Richmond
• Other Names: Richmond, Richmond Packet
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Wooden Sloop
• Built: 1820, by Richard Oates, York (now Toronto), Upper Canada
• Specifications: 70 tons
• Date of Loss: December 1826
• Place of Loss: Mainland north of Nicholson Island, Ontario
• Lake: Ontario
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Salt

Vessel Type

The Duke of Richmond was a wooden sloop, a type of single-masted sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. Sloops were ideal for carrying passengers and cargo along the relatively short and narrow shipping routes of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

At 70 tons, the Duke of Richmond was a modestly sized vessel suited for regional trade. She was built in York (Toronto) by Richard Oates, who was both her builder, owner, and master.

Description

The Duke of Richmond was engaged in the Great Lakes trade, regularly carrying cargo between Oswego, New York, and York, Upper Canada (Toronto). In December 1826, she was laden with salt and heading back to York from Oswego when she encountered a powerful storm on Lake Ontario.

Buffeted by fierce winds and heavy waves, the sloop was driven ashore on the mainland north of Nicholson Island, where she was wrecked beyond repair. Despite the violent conditions, no lives were lost in the disaster.

One of the most famous artifacts from the Duke of Richmond was her ornamental Deck cannon, which was salvaged and taken to Wellington, Ontario. The cannon became a town landmark, used to fire ceremonial salutes on special occasions. However, in 1866, it was accidentally overcharged and exploded violently, ending its use as a town relic.

Adding to the ship’s lore, in 1873, the son of Captain Richard Oates retrieved a piece of timber from the wreck and had it crafted into a chair—a sentimental artifact from one of Lake Ontario’s earliest known commercial wrecks.

Final Disposition

The Duke of Richmond was declared a Total Loss after being driven ashore. There are no known remains of the wreck today.

Previous Incidents

The Duke of Richmond had suffered damage before:

• February 1825: The vessel was pushed ashore by ice near Niagara, sustaining heavy damage but was later repaired and returned to service.

Located By & Date Found

• Status: No known remains or underwater wreckage.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No known navigation warnings or wreck hazards.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Canadian Shipwreck Registry
• Great Lakes Maritime Database

Conclusion

The Duke of Richmond was one of Lake Ontario’s earliest shipwrecks, a victim of the unpredictable storms that plagued 19th-century sailing vessels. Though she was lost nearly 200 years ago, her story lives on through historical records and artifacts—especially her explosive Deck cannon and the timber-crafted chair made by her captain’s son.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Duke of Richmond shipwreck, Lake Ontario sloop, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwrecks, Richard Oates, Nicholson Island wreck.
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, Early Canadian shipping, 19th-century shipwrecks, Lake Ontario maritime history, Historical artifacts from shipwrecks.