Identification & Site Information

•Name: Britannia

•Type: Schooner

•Year Built: 1819

•Builder: Roberts, Wellington Square (now Burlington), Ontario

•Construction: Wooden Hull, single Deck, two masts

•Tonnage: 100 tons (old measurement system)

•Original Owner: M. Brooks

•Subsequent Owners (1841): Colvin, Cook & Counter, and T. Dodge & Co., Kingston, Ontario

•Final Voyage: November 4, 1841

•Final Location of Wreck: Off Rochester County, Lake Ontario

•Final Disposition: Foundered in a gale; wreckage and cargo washed ashore

•Final Cargo: Staves (wooden barrel components)

•Casualties: Estimated five or six lives lost

Vessel Type Description

The Britannia was a wooden Schooner built for commercial trade on Lake Ontario. With its single-Deck design and two-masted rigging, the Schooner was ideal for transporting goods efficiently between burgeoning settlements in Upper and Lower Canada. At 100 tons, the vessel was of modest size but capable of carrying significant cargo, such as staves used for constructing barrels, which were essential for packaging bulk goods like flour and whiskey.

History

Early Ownership and Service:

•Launched in 1819, the Britannia was constructed by Roberts in Wellington Square, Ontario, during a time of rapid growth in Great Lakes trade.

•Owned initially by M. Brooks, the Schooner played a vital role in moving goods across Lake Ontario, catering to the needs of expanding trade networks that supported communities on both sides of the border.

Change in Ownership:

•By 1841, the Schooner had transferred ownership to prominent Kingston firms Colvin, Cook & Counter, and T. Dodge & Co.These firms were well-connected in the maritime industry, leveraging the Britannia for routes connecting Hamilton, Montreal, and other major ports.

Final Voyage:

On November 4, 1841, the Britannia embarked on its last journey. Loaded with staves in Hamilton, Ontario, the vessel set sail for Montreal, a critical hub in the Canadian trade network. Staves were a high-demand commodity, particularly in the booming barrel-making industry that supported the transport of bulk goods.

While crossing Lake Ontario, the Schooner encountered a severe gale, a common hazard during late autumn. The storm overwhelmed the Britannia, and the vessel Foundered off the coast of Rochester County. The gale, described as violent and relentless, left the Schooner vulnerable, leading to its tragic sinking and the loss of five or six lives onboard.

Aftermath and Wreckage

In the days following the storm, debris from the Britannia washed ashore along Lake Ontario’s coastline. Among the wreckage were identifiable parts of the Schooner’s Hull and fragments of its cargo of staves. These discoveries confirmed the vessel’s fate to observers and local authorities.

The loss of the Britannia and its crew highlighted the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century. It was one of many tragedies that marked a particularly harsh period for maritime trade during this era.

Final Disposition

•The Britannia was completely lost to the storm on November 4, 1841.

•Its wreckage and cargo were scattered along the shoreline near Rochester County, Lake Ontario.

•No modern recovery or exploration of the wreck has been documented, and the exact location of the ship’s remains is unknown.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Britannia wreck. However, the region off Rochester County is historically significant, and mariners are advised to navigate with caution in areas prone to strong winds and storms.

Legacy and Significance

The Britannia is remembered as a symbol of both the potential and the risks of early Great Lakes trade. Its loss reflects the challenges faced by mariners and merchants attempting to connect Upper and Lower Canada with broader markets, despite the hazards of unpredictable weather and limited navigational technology.

The Schooner played a vital role in the transportation of essential goods, like staves, that supported industries central to the region’s economic growth. The tragedy of its sinking also underscores the human cost of 19th-century maritime commerce, where every voyage carried significant risk.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed records on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive resource on vessels and events that shaped the Great Lakes.

Keywords

•Britannia

•Schooner

•Lake Ontario Wreck

•Wellington Square Shipbuilding

•19th-Century Maritime History

•Staves Trade

•Rochester County Gale

•Kingston, Ontario Shipping

Conclusion

The sinking of the Britannia on November 4, 1841, remains a poignant chapter in the history of Lake Ontario. This modest Schooner, integral to the region’s maritime trade, met a tragic end in a fierce gale. The loss serves as a stark reminder of the perils of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate in the rich maritime history of the region.