Ida Walker (Formerly New Dominion)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Ida Walker (originally New Dominion)

• Type: Schooner

• Port of Registry: Whitby, Ontario

• Construction Year: 1867

• Built At: Sophiasburg, Ontario, by Taylor & Delaney

• Rebuilt At: Sarnia, Ontario, 1880

• Dimensions:

• Length: 109 feet (approx. 33.2 meters)

• Beam: 26 feet (approx. 7.9 meters)

• Depth: 9.1 feet (approx. 2.8 meters)

• Tonnage: 216 tons

• Owners:

• John Blow (Whitby)

• Fred A. Guy and Harry Allen (Oshawa)

• James Savage (Wellington)

• Present Master (at time of wreck): George Tait

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The Ida Walker was a Schooner, a class of vessel popular on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo. Schooners like the Ida Walkertypically featured two or more masts with fore-and-aft rigged sails, providing excellent maneuverability and speed. These vessels were well-suited for navigating the varying winds and challenging weather conditions of the Great Lakes. The Ida Walker primarily transported goods such as barley, coal, and other bulk materials.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Years

The vessel was launched in 1867 as the New Dominion and initially registered in Whitby, Ontario. Built by Taylor & Delaney in Sophiasburg, Ontario, the Schooner was part of a fleet constructed to meet the growing demand for shipping on the Great Lakes.

Rebuild and Renaming

In 1880, the vessel was Rebuilt in Sarnia, Ontario, and renamed Ida Walker. The name change helped distinguish it from another vessel with a similar name. The Rebuild likely included structural reinforcements and updates to extend its operational life.

Maritime Incidents

The Ida Walker experienced several incidents during its operational life:

• October 1885: The Schooner partially sank in Ameliasburg, Lake Ontario, while carrying a cargo of barley. It was later salvaged and repaired.

• November 19, 1886: The vessel met its tragic end during a severe gale at Weller’s Bay.

Final Voyage and Loss

On November 19, 1886, the Ida Walker faced a powerful storm while attempting to anchor under Presqu’ile Point. The ship’s anchors dragged, and it was driven into Weller’s Bay, running aground outside the Gravel Bar.

The storm’s heavy seas battered the Schooner, inflicting severe damage. The crew took refuge on the cabin top, enduring nearly two days of freezing temperatures, snow squalls, and relentless waves. Rescue efforts by the Wellington Life Saving Crew, led by Captain Hugh McCullough, succeeded after multiple attempts, just as the Schooner’s masts collapsed and the cabin top was torn away. All crew members were saved, but the Ida Walker was destroyed.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Loss: November 19, 1886

• Location: Weller’s Bay, near Presqu’ile Point

• Cause: Severe storm, heavy seas, and dragging anchors

• Wreck Condition: Scattered remains presumed on the lakebed near Weller’s Bay

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Ida Walker is believed to be fragmented across the lakebed near Weller’s Bay. Over the years, artifacts such as the pump (cast in 1860) and the Centerboard winch have been recovered by local historians and collectors, including Scott Hutcheson of Prince Edward County. Although the site’s condition has deteriorated over time, it remains of interest to maritime historians and divers.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The loss of the Ida Walker highlights the dangers of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. Its tragic end, combined with the successful rescue of the crew, underscores the bravery and skill of life-saving crews like the Wellington team. This incident, along with others, contributed to the development of better life-saving services along the Great Lakes.

The Ida Walker also represents the resilience of schooners as vital components of Great Lakes commerce and the challenges faced by their crews in an era of rudimentary weather forecasting and infrastructure.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships

ANALYSIS

The Ida Walker’s history offers a poignant look into the maritime heritage of Lake Ontario. Its repeated incidents and ultimate destruction reflect the treacherous conditions faced by 19th-century sailors. The bravery of the Wellington Life Saving Crew serves as a testament to human resilience and compassion in the face of danger. The Ida Walker remains a symbol of both the peril and importance of Great Lakes shipping in shaping regional history.