Shipwreck Report: Schooner Beaver

Identification & Site Information

•Name: Beaver

•Other Names: Baltic (renamed in 1857)

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Built: 1848

•Location of Build: Kingston, Ontario

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Tonnage: 200 tons (old measurement system)

•Final Location: Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario

•Date of Wreck: 1861

Vessel Type Description

The Beaver was a two-masted wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this era were integral to regional trade, navigating challenging waters while carrying various goods. Built in Kingston, Ontario, in 1848, the Beaver originally sailed under the name Baltic before being renamed in 1857. The vessel was a significant player in the Great Lakes shipping industry during its time, operating between Canadian and American ports.

History

The Beaver spent over a decade plying the waters of Lake Ontario and beyond, contributing to the burgeoning trade of the mid-19th century. Its role in regional commerce, especially in transporting goods and materials, marked it as an essential asset to the Great Lakes maritime network.

The Final Voyage

In 1861, the Beaver was caught in a snowstorm on Lake Ontario while sailing light, carrying no cargo. Bound for a Canadian port, the vessel encountered severe weather that pushed it off course and onto the rocky shoreline at Nine Mile Point. The Schooner stranded in the storm and was heavily damaged by the elements, leading to its classification as a Total Loss.

Details regarding the crew or passengers during the wreck are scarce, with no conclusive information on casualties or survivors. Newspaper reports from the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser and an Oswego publication mentioned the incident in their casualty lists but provided limited specifics.

The sinking of the Beaver underscored the perils of sailing on the Great Lakes, particularly during harsh winter weather, where storms could arise suddenly and with devastating consequences.

Final Disposition

The Beaver was destroyed during the snowstorm in 1861, with the wreckage stranded near Nine Mile Point on Lake Ontario. The Schooner was declared a Total Loss, and no significant salvage or recovery operations are recorded. Over time, it likely broke apart due to the harsh conditions at the site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Beaver has not been documented in detail, and the location near Nine Mile Point has not been designated as an official dive or historical site. Any remnants of the vessel are likely scattered or buried under sediment, leaving little to explore today.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Marmora History Archives

Keywords

#BeaverSchooner #LakeOntarioShipwrecks #KingstonOntario #NineMilePoint #Baltic #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #SnowstormWreck #19thCenturyShipping

Conclusion

The Beaver’s history is emblematic of the schooners that drove commerce on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its unfortunate end during a snowstorm highlights the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of the region’s waters. While the physical remnants of the vessel may be lost to time, the story of the Beaver lives on as a testament to the resilience and dangers faced by those who sailed the Great Lakes.