IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Kewaunee (renamed Mary A. Daryaw in 1921)

Type: Wooden Schooner

Built: 1866, Port Huron, Michigan, USA

Builder: J.P. Arnold

Dimensions:

•Length: 123.8 feet (37.74 meters)

•Beam: 27.4 feet (8.35 meters)

•Depth: 8.3 feet (2.53 meters)

Registered Tonnage: 195 tons

Depth at Wreck Site: 98 feet (29.87 meters)

Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

Coordinates: 100 meters southeast of the Sanor wreck

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Kewaunee, later renamed Mary A. Daryaw, was a robust wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Measuring over 123 feet in length, the vessel was a workhorse of the lakes, primarily engaged in the coal-carrying trade. It was characteristic of the Schooner fleet that dominated Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th century.

HISTORY

The Schooner began its service as Kewaunee, transporting goods across the Great Lakes. In April 1921, it was purchased by the Daryaw brothers of Kingston, Ontario, and renamed Mary A. Daryaw. The Schooner continued to operate in the coal trade, reflecting the essential role of sailing vessels in regional industry even as steamships gained prominence.

Final Incident:

On October 15, 1927, the Mary A. Daryaw was moored at the spile dock below Kingston. Early that morning, a fire broke out in the hold around 3:00 a.m. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the blaze raged for over six hours, destroying much of the vessel, including its sails, cabin, and hold. The Schooner was unsalvageable, marking the end of its active service.

This fire underscored the vulnerabilities of wooden ships and their diminishing role in the face of technological advancements in maritime transport. At the time of the fire, the Mary A. Daryaw had recently transported 300 tons of coal from Oswego to Kingston.

Final Disposition:

After being deemed beyond repair, the wreck of the Mary A. Daryaw was moved to the Wolfe Island Graveyard and scuttled there in 1937.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Mary A. Daryaw rests at a depth of 98 feet near Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario. It lies approximately 100 meters southeast of the Sanor wreck. The fire damage and subsequent scuttling have left the wreck in a deteriorated state, though significant remnants remain for divers to explore. The site is accessible to advanced divers due to its depth and historical significance.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Divehub.ca: Dive site details, including Wolfe Island Graveyard wrecks like the Mary A. Daryaw.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Historical data on vessels such as the Mary A. Daryaw.

•Queens University POW Photo Project (1998): Archival footage and photographs documenting Lake Ontario shipwrecks.

•Vlada Dekina Photogallery (2002): Features photographs of shipwrecks in the Lake Ontario region.

KEYWORDS

Kewaunee, Mary A. Daryaw, Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Great Lakes Schooner, Kingston maritime history, Sanor wreck, coal-carrying trade.

ANALYSIS

The Mary A. Daryaw (originally Kewaunee) represents the decline of the Great Lakes Schooner fleet in the early 20th century. Built in 1866, the vessel faithfully served the coal trade for over 60 years. Its destruction by fire in 1927 was not only a loss of a historic vessel but also a symbol of the end of an era dominated by sail. The Schooner was one of the last remaining sailing vessels on Lake Ontario at the time of its demise.

Today, the wreck of the Mary A. Daryaw is a part of Lake Ontario’s underwater heritage. Its resting place in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, near the Sanor wreck, offers divers a glimpse into the region’s maritime past. The site serves as a poignant reminder of the transition from sail to steam and the challenges faced by Great Lakes mariners.