Wreck Report: Schooner Mayflower

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Mayflower

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Owner & Captain: Captain Patterson

• Location of Loss: Cobourg, Ontario, Lake Ontario

• Date of Wreck: November 1820

Vessel Type Description

The Mayflower was a wooden Schooner, a type of sailing vessel common in the early 19th century for both cargo and passenger transport. These vessels, with their fore-and-aft rigging, were prized for their versatility and ability to navigate the challenging waters of the Great Lakes.

History

The Mayflower served as part of the bustling maritime network on Lake Ontario, transporting goods and passengers between ports like Cobourg, Kingston, and York (now Toronto). Schooners like the Mayflower were vital for trade and commerce in the region.

In November 1820, the Mayflower was anchored at Cobourg, Ontario, unloading goods when a southeast gale struck. The storm’s intensity caused the vessel’s anchor cable to part, sending the Schooner adrift amidst the chaos. During the frantic efforts to secure the vessel, Captain Patterson tragically fell overboard and drowned. His eldest son, aboard the vessel, witnessed the event but was unable to save him.

The Schooner itself was also lost, though specific details about its final disposition—whether it sank outright or was driven ashore—are not well-documented.

Final Disposition

The Mayflower was lost during the gale, either sinking or being destroyed while adrift. The vessel’s remains have not been located, and no reports of salvage efforts have been found in historical records.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Mayflower.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Mayflower has not been identified or explored in modern times. Its remains, if any, are presumed to have deteriorated significantly or been destroyed entirely.

Casualties

• Captain Patterson: Tragically drowned during the incident.

• Other Crew Members: No reports of additional casualties; their fate remains unrecorded.

Impact of Loss

The loss of the Mayflower illustrates the significant risks faced by vessels anchored in exposed locations during severe weather. The tragedy of Captain Patterson’s death, witnessed by his eldest son, underscores the human cost of maritime work on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

The incident also highlights the dangers of insufficient mooring in gale-force winds, a lesson that informed maritime practices in the years to follow.

Historical Context

The Mayflower’s wreck occurred during the infamous November 1820 storm, which wreaked havoc across Lake Ontario. The storm caused widespread destruction, claiming multiple vessels and emphasizing the vulnerability of even experienced mariners and well-maintained schooners to the lake’s sudden and violent weather.

Resources & Links

• Kingston Chronicle (1820): Contemporary reports of the storm and its effects.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Archival information on shipwrecks and maritime incidents.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including historical accounts.

Conclusion

The wreck of the Mayflower is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. The Schooner’s loss, coupled with the tragic drowning of Captain Patterson, highlights the perils of 19th-century lake navigation and the harsh realities of life for those who worked on the water.

Keywords

• Schooner Mayflower

• Cobourg Shipwreck

• Lake Ontario Gale

• Captain Patterson

• 1820 Storm

• Great Lakes Maritime History