Identification & Site Information

• Name: Maggie Hunter (built on the bottom of John S. Clark)
• Official Number: 72954
• Type: Two-Masted Schooner
• Year Built: 1876
• Builder: William Jamieson, Mill Point, Ontario
• Dimensions:
• Length: 31.7 meters (104 feet)
• Beam: 7.4 meters (24.3 feet)
• Depth: 3 meters (9.9 feet)
• Tonnage:
• Gross: 168.94 tons
• Net: 168.94 tons
• Location of Incident: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York
• Coordinates: N43°32.772’, W76°31.594’
• Date of Incident: October 9–10, 1876

Vessel Type Description

The Hunter was a wooden two-masted Schooner, purpose-built for transporting bulk cargo such as coal across the Great Lakes. A common and reliable vessel design of the late 19th century, the Schooner was characterized by its substantial cargo capacity and simplicity of rigging. Constructed on the base of a previous vessel (John S. Clark), it measured 104 feet in length and had a Gross Tonnage of 168.94 tons, making it an effective vessel for Great Lakes shipping.

History

Construction and Early Use

•Builder: The Schooner was built in 1876 by William Jamieson at Mill Point, Ontario, and registered on May 12, 1876, to Samuel Hunter of Toronto, Ontario.

•Purpose: The Hunter was primarily employed to transport coal, a crucial commodity for industrial and domestic use during the 19th century.

Voyage and Tragic Loss

In October 1876, the Hunter set sail from Oswego, New York, loaded with coal bound for Toronto, Ontario. The vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario, an all-too-common hazard for schooners in the region. Likely overburdened by its cargo, the vessel succumbed to the storm and Foundered, leading to the tragic loss of all hands aboard.

Portions of the wreck washed ashore near Oswego, New York, on October 11, 1876. Overloading of coal, combined with the gale’s intensity, is believed to have been the primary cause of the disaster.

Official Disposition

The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and its registration documents were formally surrendered on January 17, 1879. The sinking marked the end of the Hunter’s short operational life, barely five months after its launch.

Final Disposition

The Hunter was lost to a gale on October 9 or 10, 1876, and its wreckage was discovered washed ashore near Oswego shortly afterward. Its sinking, attributed to overloading and harsh weather, resulted in the Total Loss of both the vessel and its crew. The wreck location is approximately at coordinates N43°32.772’, W76°31.594’, in Lake Ontario near Oswego.

Significance

The Hunter’s loss underscores the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners in the late 19th century. The Schooner’s design, history, and tragic end provide valuable insights into the region’s maritime operations, particularly the challenges of transporting bulk commodities in an era of rudimentary navigation and meteorology.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently active for this site.

•Mariners should exercise caution in the vicinity of the wreck coordinates, as underwater hazards may be present.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is believed to lie near the specified coordinates off Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. As the wreckage washed ashore after the sinking, it is unclear how much of the original structure remains intact underwater. Further exploration and documentation are needed to assess its current state.

Resources & Links

• Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1876: Records vessel registration details.
• Buffalo Mutual Insurance Records: Provides insurance and valuation data for the Hunter.
• Contemporary Newspaper Reports: Eye-witness accounts and reports of the 1876 incident.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed information on Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive archives on Great Lakes vessels and incidents.
• York University Digital Library: Historical maritime records and ship-related documents.
• www.sonarguy.com – Located the Maggie Hunter

Keywords

#HunterSchooner #LakeOntarioShipwreck #OswegoNY #19thCenturyShipping #CoalTransport  #GreatLakesShipwreck #TragicLoss #SamuelHunter #SchoonerHistory

Conclusion

The sinking of the Hunter was a brief but tragic chapter in Lake Ontario’s maritime history. As a newly built vessel, it symbolized the vital role schooners played in the Great Lakes economy during the late 19th century. The tragedy also highlights the risks of overloading and navigating in severe weather, lessons that remain relevant to maritime safety today. The wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the historical significance of commerce on the Great Lakes.

3D Model

Two mast schooner – Lake Ontario by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab