IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Names: Avon (original), later renamed Stormont

• Type: Wooden Package Freighter, Propeller Vessel

• Dimensions: Length: 251 feet (76.5 meters), Beam: 35.33 feet (10.8 meters), Depth: 15 feet (4.6 meters)

• Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1702.33, Net Tonnage: 1538.84

• Construction: Wood

• Year Built: 1877, by Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, New York

• Wreck Location: Nine Mile Point Graveyard, Lake Ontario; also associated with Wolfe Island Graveyard

• GPS Coordinates: Not specified

• Depth: 98 feet (29.9 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Avon, later known as Stormont, was a robust wooden package freighter equipped with a single propeller and a steeple compound steam engine. Designed for bulk freight transport, it was well-suited to carry goods such as grain, coal, and other materials across the Great Lakes. Its wooden construction and significant tonnage made it a vital component of Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

HISTORY

Launch and Early Service

The Avon was launched in 1877 for the Union Steamboat Co. in Buffalo, New York. Powered by a 600-horsepower engine from King Iron Works, the vessel could carry up to 2,000 tons of freight and served key ports like Buffalo, Chicago, and Milwaukee.

Notable Incidents

• 1881: Collided with the Thomas A. Scott in Milwaukee Bay, leading to the sinking of the Scott.

• November 1883: Stranded near Buffalo due to a steering failure, causing damage to the vessel.

• 1901: An explosion and fire occurred near Point Aux Pins on Lake Superior while carrying grain. Initially declared a Total Loss, the vessel was later salvaged and Rebuilt as a bulk freighter in Buffalo.

The vessel changed ownership multiple times, with notable operators including Harahan Coal & Transportation Co., John Hannan, and the Ogdensburg Coal & Towing Co. It was Rebuilt in 1918 in Kingston, Ontario, and renamed Stormont. By May 1919, it was owned by the Montreal Transportation Co.

Final Demise

On November 2, 1920, the Stormont sank in the Morrisburg Canal and was declared a constructive Total Loss. It was Abandoned in Kingston, Ontario, in 1921. In 1937, the wreck was removed and scuttled at the Nine Mile Point Graveyard in Lake Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Stormont now rests at the Wolfe Island Graveyard at a depth of 98 feet (29.9 meters). The site is one of several scuttled vessels in the area, contributing to the rich maritime history of Lake Ontario.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners related to the wreck of the Avon/Stormont. However, the site is recognized by local divers and historians as part of the Wolfe Island Graveyard.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck lies in 98 feet of water, making it accessible to experienced divers with proper equipment. Given its wooden construction, the wreck is likely in a state of advanced decay but remains a compelling site for exploration due to its historical significance.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Avon/Stormont Records

• Wrecksite Database: Comprehensive database on wrecks like Stormont.

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Ongoing documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

• Canadian Shipwreck Records: Historical archives for wrecks in Lake Ontario.

KEYWORDS

• Avon, Stormont

• Wolfe Island Graveyard, Nine Mile Point Graveyard

• Lake Ontario, Package Freighter

• Great Lakes Maritime History

• 19th Century Shipwreck

CONCLUSION

The Avon, later renamed Stormont, serves as a historical artifact of Great Lakes maritime commerce, with a career marked by collisions, fires, and eventual scuttling. Resting in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, the wreck is a testament to the challenges and evolutions in shipping during its era. Its story provides insight into the development of maritime trade and the resilience of vessels navigating the often unforgiving Great Lakes.