IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Type of Wreck: Wooden Schooner

Location: Ashore at Point Traverse, Lake Ontario

Coordinates: Exact coordinates not specified

Dimensions: Typical two-masted Schooner with a single Deck (exact dimensions not documented)

Site Status: Wreck occurred in 1839; current condition unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The MATHILDA was a wooden, two-masted Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the early 19th century. Schooners of this design were versatile, featuring a single Deck and intended for transporting goods or passengers. Their compact yet robust construction allowed them to navigate both open water and shallower harbors, making them vital to the burgeoning trade network of the Great Lakes region.

HISTORY

The MATHILDA served as part of the Great Lakes trade network, likely carrying cargo or passengers between ports on Lake Ontario. While specific details of the Schooner’s operations are sparse, vessels of this era were often used to transport essential commodities such as grain, timber, and other goods crucial to the economy of the region.

In 1839, the MATHILDA ran ashore at Point Traverse, a perilous area in Lake Ontario known for its challenging navigation conditions, including shifting sandbanks and treacherous waters. The grounding of the Schooner resulted in a tragic loss of life, with four individuals perishing in the incident. While the circumstances leading to the wreck are unclear, this event underscores the hazardous nature of maritime travel during the period, compounded by limited navigational aids and the unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Incident: 1839

• Cause of Loss: Grounding at Point Traverse

• Lives Lost: Four

• Outcome: Total Loss of the vessel. Specific details about cargo or further recovery efforts remain undocumented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• Navigational Caution: Mariners operating near Point Traverse should be aware of its historically hazardous waters. Although no official Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck, the area’s reputation for treacherous conditions warrants vigilance.

LOCATED BY & DATE

• Wreck Date: 1839

• Discovery Status: The wreck of the MATHILDA has not been located or documented in modern times.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the age of the wreck and the lack of recovery efforts or precise location data, it is presumed that the MATHILDA has been significantly degraded or entirely lost to natural processes. Any remnants, if they exist, are likely buried in sediment or scattered along the shoreline of Point Traverse. The site is not marked and is not known to be accessible for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A resource for historical records and data on shipwrecks in the region.

• Regional Historical Societies: Local archives may hold additional insights or anecdotal accounts of the MATHILDA and other early shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

• Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: An overview of known shipwrecks in the region, available through dedicated maritime history groups.

ANALYSIS

The wreck of the MATHILDA is a somber chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario. Its grounding at Point Traverse in 1839, which claimed four lives, reflects the significant risks of early Great Lakes navigation. The Schooner’s story is emblematic of the many vessels lost to the unpredictable waters of the region, where a lack of advanced navigational tools often led to tragedy.

While the wreck itself remains undocumented and likely irretrievable, its story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early mariners. The MATHILDA symbolizes the resilience and peril of maritime activity during a formative era in Canadian history.

KEYWORDS

MATHILDA, Wooden Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Point Traverse, 1839 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History, Early Great Lakes Navigation, 19th-Century Shipwrecks.