Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Florida

• Type: Three-masted Schooner

• Year Built: 1875

• Construction: Primarily pine and tamarack wood

• Tonnage: 386 tons

• Classification: B2

• Owner: Quebec-based parties

• Final Disposition: Foundered and sank on August 20, 1882, about 15 miles off the Mohawk and 15 miles from Port Colborne, Lake Erie

• Location: Approximately 80 feet of water, Lake Erie

• Coordinates: Not specified, but roughly 15 miles off Mohawk, Ontario

• Rescue: The crew of six men and two women were rescued by the propeller vessel Blanchard of Buffalo

Vessel Type Description

The Florida was a three-masted Schooner, a type of vessel designed to maximize cargo capacity and stability on the Great Lakes. With a classification of B2, the Florida was recognized as a robust vessel capable of handling the cargo demands of the era, specifically large coal shipments in this instance. Constructed primarily from pine and tamarack, the Schooner represented the standard materials and design of Canadian-built schooners in the late 19th century, built for durability but susceptible to the forces of Lake Erie’s frequent storms.

History

Launched in 1875, the Florida operated out of Quebec and served as a reliable cargo carrier on the Great Lakes, frequently transporting coal, lumber, and other bulk materials between Canadian and U.S. ports. On August 20, 1882, the Florida was en route from Black River to Toronto, carrying 662 tons of coal. However, during the passage, the vessel sprung a leak approximately 15 miles off the Mohawk, near Port Colborne. As water began to fill the hold, it became evident that the vessel would not survive.

The crew, consisting of six men and two women, Abandoned the Florida and managed to launch a small boat. They were subsequently rescued by the propeller Blanchard out of Buffalo. The Florida sank to the lakebed, settling in approximately 80 feet of water with its topmasts still visible above the lake’s surface. This partial Visibility made the site notable and allowed for some attempts to salvage equipment, although raising the vessel itself proved unfeasible, and it was ultimately declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The Florida sank on August 20, 1882, in 80 feet of water, approximately 15 miles from Port Colborne. Despite the crew’s survival and some limited salvage efforts, the vessel was not raised, and its equipment was largely Abandoned to the lakebed. The Florida was considered a Total Loss, with its cargo of 662 tons of coal unrecoverable.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Florida’s loss highlights the vulnerability of 19th-century schooners on Lake Erie, where unpredictable weather and structural limitations could quickly turn routine voyages into disasters. As a B2-class vessel, the Florida was robust yet not invulnerable to Lake Erie’s challenges, particularly when heavily laden with coal. The Visibility of the topmasts above the water after sinking became a stark reminder to passing vessels of the risks of Great Lakes navigation.

Today, the Florida represents the stories of many lost schooners on Lake Erie, with shipwreck sites contributing to the rich maritime heritage of the region. The vessel’s story underscores the resilience of Great Lakes sailors and the precarious nature of 19th-century lake commerce.

Resources & Links

For further reading on the Florida and similar Great Lakes shipwrecks:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records on shipwrecks like the Florida and details on their histories (Maritime History of the Great Lakes)

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Includes information on wrecks and lost vessels, providing context for incidents like the Florida’s sinking

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Repository of data on ships and their routes, including details on vessels from the late 19th century