Identification & Site Information

•Name: Enterprise (Round-Sterned Schooner)

•Former Names: None noted

•Builder: William Manson

•Construction Location: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada

•Date Built and Launched: 1855

•Measurements:

•Length: 90 ft (27.4 m)

•Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m)

•Depth of Hold: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)

•Registered Tonnage: Fluctuated from 118 tons (1864) to 91 tons in later years

•Date Lost: November 24, 1882

•Location of Wreck: Shoreline near McDonald and Hyatt’s Wharf, Little Sandy Bay, Prince Edward County, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type

The Enterprise was a round-sterned Schooner, distinct from other vessels of the same name with square transoms. These schooners were often used in the grain trade, ferrying seasonal harvests across the Great Lakes.

Description

The Enterprise was purpose-built for the barley trade, a cornerstone of the 19th-century economy in the Great Lakes region. Its design and size suited the transport of bulk cargo, primarily barley from Prince Edward County to Oswego’s breweries, earning significant profit per load. Often, schooners like the Enterprise returned empty to maximize trips during the fall harvest season.

Its round Stern distinguished it from the more common square-sterned designs of the time. The Schooner’s versatility and modest size made it a reliable choice for navigating Lake Ontario, but it was not immune to the lake’s volatile weather.

Final Voyage

On its final voyage in November 1882, the Enterprise succumbed to Lake Ontario’s notorious fall gales while loading barley at McDonald and Hyatt’s Wharf. Despite efforts to trim the grain and hold position at anchor, the worsening storm caused the Schooner to break free and founder. The crew Abandoned the vessel for safety, but by the early morning hours of November 24, the Enterprise had been dashed upon the rocks, leaving nothing but wreckage behind.

Historical Legacy and Salvage

The Enterprise became a symbol of the perilous barley trade. Decades later, in 1942, a 200-pound anchor believed to be from the Schooner was salvaged near Lakeland, Prince Edward County. Identified by local historian Willis Metcalfe and confirmed by Amos McDonald, the anchor served as a tangible reminder of the Schooner’s history and its ultimate loss. The kedge anchor was placed on display at Lakeland as a memorial.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck site is near McDonald and Hyatt’s Wharf, though precise modern documentation of the wreck’s remains is limited. The anchor recovery in 1942 provided a focal point for memorializing the vessel.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Wreck Conditions: Likely scattered and degraded due to the violent impact with the rocky shoreline and years of exposure.

•Advisories: Shallow coastal areas and debris near Little Sandy Bay may pose hazards to navigation or diving activities.

Resources & Links

•Local archives and accounts, including contributions by Willis Metcalfe, provide valuable insights into the wreck.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes databases and Prince Edward County historical societies.

Conclusion

The loss of the Enterprise underscores the risks faced by schooners on Lake Ontario, particularly in the barley trade. The vessel’s story, now memorialized by the recovered anchor, is a testament to the resilience and importance of maritime activity in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. The Enterprise’s legacy continues to inspire reflection on the challenges of navigating Lake Ontario during the 19th century.