IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Perseverance

•Type: Wooden Steamship

•Final Resting Place: Lake Ontario (exact coordinates unknown)

•Final Incident: Fire at sea, burned to the waterline

•Casualties: 14 crew members lost, 5 survivors rescued by the Steamship Enterprise

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Perseverance was a wooden Steamship typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessels, designed for the transportation of goods and passengers. Steamships like the Perseverance were vital to the growing economy of the Great Lakes region, bridging cities and trade hubs across the expansive inland sea system.

HISTORY

The Perseverance served as a critical part of Lake Ontario’s bustling maritime trade, ferrying passengers and cargo along established routes. Sistered with the Enterprise, the vessel was part of a fleet that exemplified the transition from sail to steam-powered navigation in the Great Lakes.

While the specifics of the ship’s construction, ownership, and operational history are not fully documented, the Perseverance was likely a vessel of modest size and capacity, characteristic of the era.

FINAL INCIDENT

•Date of Loss: Not specified (mid-19th century)

•Cause of Loss: A devastating onboard fire while underway on Lake Ontario.

During one of its voyages, the Perseverance caught fire under circumstances that remain unclear. The fire spread uncontrollably, ultimately consuming the vessel and reducing it to the waterline. Despite the efforts of the crew, the fire claimed the lives of 14 people.

The survivors—five in total—were rescued by the Steamship Enterprise, which was operating nearby and responded to the distress. The quick actions of the Enterprise crew likely saved the lives of these individuals, though the tragedy underscored the perilous nature of early Steamship travel.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Perseverance was completely destroyed by the fire, leaving little to no trace of the vessel. The burned Hull presumably sank into the depths of Lake Ontario, though the exact location has not been determined or documented in modern times.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the Perseverance.

•The wreck site has not been identified or marked and does not pose a known hazard to navigation.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Records of Great Lakes vessels and their incidents.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archive for maritime disasters on the Great Lakes.

•Shipwreck Stories: Accounts of lost vessels, including fire-related incidents.

ANALYSIS

The tragic loss of the Perseverance highlights the vulnerabilities of early Steamship technology, particularly in preventing and managing onboard fires. With flammable wooden hulls and open flames often required for steam generation, these vessels were at constant risk of such disasters.

The heroic efforts of the Enterprise crew in rescuing survivors stand as a testament to the camaraderie and swift action typical of Great Lakes mariners. The sinking of the Perseverance remains a somber reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by sailors during the era of steam navigation.