Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: ARDELIA

•Type: Schooner (two-masted wooden vessel)

•Year Built: 1835

•Place Built: Oakville, Ontario

•Tonnage: 72 tons

•Decks: Single Deck

•Final Disposition: Capsized and sank on April 15, 1854, in Lake Ontario, approximately 20 miles off Oswego, New York.

Vessel Type Description

The ARDELIA was a Schooner, a common vessel type for Great Lakes trade during the 19th century. Schooners were highly versatile and efficient, often used for transporting goods such as fish, grains, and other commodities. The ARDELIA, with its two-mast configuration and wooden Hull, was built to handle the demands of regional commerce, particularly the transport of barrelled fish between Saugeen and Toronto.

History

Construction and Purpose

Built in 1835 in Oakville, Ontario, the ARDELIA was a modest yet essential player in Great Lakes trade. The vessel primarily operated in the barrelled fish trade, facilitating commerce between Saugeen and Toronto.

Final Voyage and Incident

On April 15, 1854, while carrying a cargo of peas bound for Oswego, New York, the ARDELIA capsized and sank approximately 20 miles off Oswego. The exact cause of the disaster remains uncertain, but a Hull failure is suspected as a contributing factor. Tragically, all six crew members perished in the incident, leaving no survivors.

Witness Accounts and Recovery Efforts

The Schooner Daniel Williams witnessed the sinking and attempted to rescue the ARDELIA’s crew but was unsuccessful. The bodies of the victims were eventually recovered near Pultneyville, west of Oswego. Among those identified was Thomas Butler, the son of the vessel’s owner, Michael Butler. Evidence suggests that Thomas Butler clung to a piece of the cabin in a desperate attempt to survive.

The crew members lost in the tragedy were:

•Captain Chris Boylan

•William Carlisle

•Robert McMullen

•Richard Dillon

•William Hilton

•Thomas Butler

Aftermath and Losses

The vessel and its cargo were uninsured, resulting in an estimated financial loss of $4,000. The tragedy led to calls for a thorough investigation, though no conclusive findings about the cause were reported. The sinking left the community in mourning, and the ARDELIA’s loss became a somber reminder of the dangers of Great Lakes navigation.

Final Disposition

The ARDELIA remains lost at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario. Its exact location has not been documented in modern times. The wreck is a poignant part of the region’s maritime history, symbolizing the perilous conditions faced by vessels of its era.

Resources & Links

1.Great Lakes Ships – C. Patrick Labadie

2.Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory

3.Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley

4.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

5.Oswego Times & Journal, April-May 1854

6.Buffalo Daily Courier and Buffalo Daily Republic, April 20, 1854

7.Daily British Whig (Kingston, ON), April-May 1854

8.David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The loss of the ARDELIA is a tragic chapter in the history of Lake Ontario. Its sinking during a routine voyage highlights the risks inherent in 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, where even seasoned mariners faced unpredictable challenges. The crew’s loss and the mystery surrounding the incident continue to resonate, underscoring the hazards of maritime commerce in the region.

Keywords

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#19thCenturyShipping

#Shipwrecks