IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Queen of the Lakes

•Type of Wreck: Scow Schooner

•Dimensions: Length: 128 feet (39 meters), Beam: 23 feet (7 meters), Depth: 10 feet (3 meters), Gross Tonnage: 190 tons

•Location of Wreck: Lake Ontario, near Sodus Point

•Coordinates: N 43° 29.55’ W 76° 96.87’

•Place and Builder: Portsmouth, Ontario, George N. Ault

•Year Built: 1853

•Official Number: 77626

•Hull Materials: Wood

•Construction: Single-Deck scow Schooner

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Queen of the Lakes was a wooden scow Schooner designed for Great Lakes cargo transportation. Its flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged design made it ideal for navigating the shallow harbors and rivers of the region. With a Gross Tonnage of 190 tons, the vessel was a workhorse for the transport of bulk materials, particularly coal and feldspar, critical to regional commerce and industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

HISTORY

The Queen of the Lakes had a long operational history, spanning over 50 years. Built by George N. Ault in Portsmouth, Ontario, in 1853, the Schooner primarily operated under James Richardson & Sons, carrying essential cargo across Lake Ontario.

Notable Voyages and Incidents

•1868 Groundings: The vessel grounded twice in the Detroit River and Green Bay but was successfully refloated and repaired.

•1891 Gale Incident: Ran ashore near Geneva, Ohio, and underwent repairs for further service.

•Early 1900s Rebuild: In Deseronto, after being acquired by James Richardson & Sons, the Schooner was significantly reconstructed to extend its service life.

Final Voyage (November 1, 1906)

Carrying 500 tons of coal from Charlotte to Kingston, the Schooner encountered a severe southwest gale approximately 10 miles from Sodus Point. Despite efforts by the crew to keep the vessel afloat, the aging structure succumbed to the weather and began taking on water.

•Crew Escape: Captain Chauncey Darryaw and his crew—Frank Darryaw, R. Watts, Thomas Watson, Francis Truesdall, and Samuel Cannem—Abandoned ship and reached shore safely in a Yawl.

•Financial Loss: The Schooner and its cargo were uninsured, resulting in significant financial losses for James Richardson & Sons and James Swift & Co.

The sinking highlighted the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation and the limits of even the most well-maintained vessels.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date of Loss: November 1, 1906

•Cause of Loss: Severe weather (gale) caused the vessel to flood and sink.

•Final Resting Place: Approximately 10 miles from Sodus Point, Lake Ontario.

•Status: The ship and its cargo were lost. The crew survived without injury.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Queen of the Lakes has not been definitively located. Its exact coordinates remain unverified, and the site has not been extensively explored or surveyed.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Status: The wreck does not pose a known hazard to navigation.

•Advisories: Divers and researchers should consult local navigation updates and exercise caution when exploring near the presumed site.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: Unknown. Given the passage of time, the wooden Hull is likely in an advanced state of decay if any remains exist.

•Accessibility: Not definitively identified or accessible for diving.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Contextual and archival records.

•Great Lakes Ships: Historical vessel information.

•Rochester Union & Advertiser, November 3, 1859: Coverage of maritime incidents.

•Oswego Palladium, November 7, 1859: Detailed reporting on the Schooner’s loss.

•Toronto Telegram, November 2, 1940: Historical reflections.

•Daily News (Kingston, ON), November 10, 1859: Insights into local impacts.

KEYWORDS

Queen of the Lakes, Sodus Point, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Scow Schooner, Great Lakes Maritime History, James Richardson & Sons, 1906 Shipwreck, Coal Transport, Maritime Tragedy.

ANALYSIS

The Queen of the Lakes epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgizes the resilience and challenges of Great Lakes maritime trade during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite numerous rebuilds and an extended operational life, the vessel ultimately succumbed to Lake Ontario’s unforgiving weather. Its loss highlights the risks faced by sailors and the financial stakes of Great Lakes commerce. The story of the Queen of the Lakes remains a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping, serving as a testament to the endurance and eventual vulnerability of wooden schooners in the face of nature’s forces.