IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: J.B. COLLINS

Type: Schooner

Cargo: Coal

Incident Date: October 1855

Location: Near Port Ontario, Lake Ontario

Final Fate: Grounded

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The J.B. COLLINS was a wooden Schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used during the 19th century for transporting goods on the Great Lakes. Schooners like the J.B. COLLINS were valued for their ability to navigate the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes and their substantial cargo capacity. With its main function being coal transport, the vessel was a critical part of the trade infrastructure that supplied fuel for heating and industrial use across the region.

HISTORY

In October 1855, the J.B. COLLINS was navigating Lake Ontario with a full cargo of coal when it encountered a severe problem: the vessel sprang a leak while in open water. The crew quickly recognized the danger and took action to save the Schooner by steering towards the nearest haven, Port Ontario.

Despite their best efforts, the Schooner grounded on a sandbar near the harbor. Efforts to salvage the vessel and protect its cargo proved unsuccessful, and the grounding resulted in significant losses. This incident underscores the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather, shallow waters, and structural vulnerabilities of wooden vessels made every voyage fraught with risk.

Losses:

The Total Loss of the vessel and its cargo of coal was estimated at $1,600. At the time, this was a considerable amount, reflecting the value of both the Schooner and the coal it carried.

Ownership:

The J.B. COLLINS was owned by N. Kilborn of Oswego, New York, a significant port city during the 19th century that served as a hub for trade on Lake Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The grounding of the J.B. COLLINS marked the end of its service. The vessel likely sustained irreparable damage while aground, and there is no record of it being salvaged or returned to service. Its wreck remains near Port Ontario, though its exact location is not detailed in historical records.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the wreck site of the J.B. COLLINS. The site does not pose a known navigational hazard in modern times.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The exact discovery or survey of the J.B. COLLINS wreck has not been documented. The incident is primarily preserved in historical casualty lists and reports from the time, such as the Buffalo Morning Express and the Daily News of Kingston, Ontario.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Buffalo Morning Express (January 11, 1856): Casualty List including the J.B. COLLINS incident.

•Daily News (Kingston, Ontario): October 22, 1855 report on the grounding.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of 19th-century shipwrecks and maritime events.

KEYWORDS

•J.B. COLLINS

•Schooner

•Lake Ontario shipwreck

•Coal transport

•19th-century Great Lakes trade

•Port Ontario wreck

•N. Kilborn

CONCLUSION

The J.B. COLLINS Schooner tragedy highlights the inherent risks of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. From its critical role in transporting coal to its untimely demise, the vessel reflects both the economic importance and the dangers of maritime trade during that era. While its wreck has faded from public memory, the J.B. COLLINS remains a small but significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.