IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: LENNOX

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1854

•Built at: Isle Tante, Ontario

•Material: Wood

•Tonnage: 230 tons (old style calculation)

•Decks: Single Deck

•Final Location: Lake Ontario

•Final Date: December 1856

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The LENNOX was a mid-19th-century wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport. Typical of its era, the vessel featured a single Deck and a robust Hull, allowing it to traverse the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes while carrying essential goods. Schooners like the LENNOX were the backbone of regional trade, transporting materials such as iron, firewood, and agricultural products.

HISTORY

The LENNOX served as a key vessel for the commerce of Upper Canada. Built at Isle Tante, Ontario, in 1854, the Schooner quickly became an integral part of the growing trade network on Lake Ontario. Operating between major ports such as Kingston and Toronto, the LENNOXcarried critical supplies that supported the burgeoning economies of Great Lakes communities.

Final Voyage

In December 1856, the LENNOX embarked on what would become its final journey. Departing Kingston with a cargo of iron and firewood, the vessel was bound for Toronto. However, it never arrived.

The ship disappeared somewhere on Lake Ontario, and all 12 crew members were lost. Harsh winter conditions, including potential storms and icy waters, likely contributed to the tragedy. The exact circumstances remain a mystery, as no wreckage or remains of the vessel or its crew were ever recovered.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date Lost: December 1856

•Cause of Loss: Unknown; presumed to be weather-related or due to structural failure.

•Recovery Efforts: No wreckage or bodies have ever been found. The disappearance remains one of the unsolved mysteries of Lake Ontario.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Discovery Status: The LENNOX remains missing and has never been located.

•Date of Discovery: Not applicable.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs): No active advisories are associated with the wreck of the LENNOX. Its exact location remains unknown, posing no immediate hazard to navigation.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Since the wreck of the LENNOX has never been found, its current condition and accessibility are unknown. If it exists, it would likely be significantly deteriorated due to the passage of time and the environment of Lake Ontario’s depths.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical accounts and records related to the LENNOX and other schooners of its time.

•Great Lakes Shipwrecks Database: Details on shipwrecks and missing vessels throughout the Great Lakes.

•Kingston Maritime Heritage: Additional resources and records from local historical societies and archives.

CONCLUSION

The loss of the LENNOX in December 1856 is a tragic chapter in the history of Great Lakes maritime commerce. The vessel’s disappearance highlights the dangers faced by sailors navigating Lake Ontario during the 19th century, particularly in winter. With no wreckage recovered, the fate of the LENNOX and its 12 crew members remains a haunting mystery, emblematic of the many risks associated with maritime trade during this era.

KEYWORDS

LENNOX, Lake Ontario shipwreck, 1856 Schooner disappearance, Great Lakes maritime history, missing shipwrecks, Schooner LENNOX.

ANALYSIS

The LENNOX represents the perilous nature of Great Lakes trade in the mid-19th century. Its unexplained disappearance underscores the harsh realities of maritime travel in an era before advanced weather forecasting and safety measures. The vessel’s story is a poignant reminder of the courage of sailors and the ever-present risks they faced in pursuit of economic progress. The enduring mystery of the LENNOX’s fate continues to captivate maritime historians and enthusiasts alike.