IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Lochiel (formerly Three Seas)

•Type: Schooner

•Year Built: 1852

•Builder: Robert Steel, Port Sarnia, Canada West

•Dimensions: Not documented

•Tonnage: 223 tons

•Owner: James Coleman & Co.

•Home Port: Dundas, Canada West

•Classification: Class B 1

•Appraised Value: $4,000

•Date of Wreck: 1861

•Location: Approximately 15 miles northeast of the Genesee Light, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not documented

•Final Disposition: Foundered during a gale; vessel and 9,000 bushels of wheat lost; crew survived.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Lochiel was a wooden-hulled Schooner, originally named Three Seas, built in Port Sarnia, Canada West, in 1852. Typical of schooners of its era, the vessel was constructed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. It was a significant asset to the bustling trade routes of the mid-19th century, facilitating the movement of goods such as wheat and timber between ports. Schooners like the Lochiel were workhorses of the Great Lakes, often enduring harsh conditions to meet the economic demands of the time.

HISTORY

Construction and Ownership

The Lochiel was built by Robert Steel in 1852 for James Coleman & Co. It was registered at a tonnage of 223 tons and classified as Class B 1 in the Board of Lake Underwriters’ Lake Vessel Register. Valued at $4,000, the Schooner was a vital part of the regional economy, connecting Dundas, Canada West, with markets in the United States.

In 1861, the vessel underwent repairs, likely to maintain its seaworthiness amid the wear and tear of constant service. Despite these efforts, contemporary accounts noted the Lochiel’s flat design, which may have contributed to its vulnerability in rough waters.

The Fateful Voyage

In 1861, the Lochiel, under the command of Captain Scott, departed Dundas with 9,000 bushels of wheat bound for Oswego, New York. During its crossing of Lake Ontario, the vessel encountered a powerful gale—a common but perilous occurrence on the Great Lakes.

By daybreak, the storm had intensified, forcing Captain Scott and his crew to battle towering waves and ferocious winds. Approximately 15 miles northeast of the Genesee Light, the Lochiel began to founder, overwhelmed by the combined weight of its cargo and the relentless seas.

Survival and Aftermath

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the crew launched the ship’s Yawl boats and Abandoned the Lochiel. Despite the extreme conditions, they successfully navigated the small boats to Genesee, arriving safely by 9 a.m. The survival of the crew was a remarkable feat, but the Schooner and its cargo were lost to the lake.

The loss of the Lochiel dealt a significant blow to its owners, James Coleman & Co., and to the community of Dundas, which relied on vessels like it for economic growth. Reports of the sinking reached nearby Rochester, where the tragedy was widely mourned.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Lochiel Foundered and sank during a gale, taking with it a cargo of 9,000 bushels of wheat. The vessel’s wreck remains undiscovered in Lake Ontario, near the reported location of the sinking northeast of the Genesee Light. The exact coordinates of the wreck site are unknown.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Lochiel. The wreck site is not marked on nautical charts and does not pose a navigational hazard. However, any attempts to locate or explore the wreck should adhere to regional guidelines for underwater cultural heritage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Board of Lake Underwriters’ Lake Vessel Register, 1861

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Great Lakes Maritime History

•Rochester Newspapers, October 1861: Reports on the sinking and aftermath.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships

KEYWORDS

Lochiel, Three Seas, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Genesee Light, James Coleman & Co., 19th-century Schooner, Great Lakes shipwreck, Dundas maritime history, wheat cargo, maritime navigation.

CONCLUSION

The Lochiel was emblematic of the schooners that powered the Great Lakes economy in the 19th century. Its loss in 1861 highlights the dangers faced by sailors navigating these unpredictable waters. While the crew’s survival was a fortunate outcome, the sinking remains a sobering reminder of the challenges of maritime trade during this era. Today, the Lochiel’s story endures as part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.