Identification & Site Information

•Name: Laura

•Type: Three-Masted Wood Scow Schooner

•Official Number: 17234

•Year Built: 1873

•Builder: Walkerville, Ontario

•Construction: Wooden Hull

•Dimensions:

•Length: 140 feet (42.7 meters)

•Beam: 23 feet (7 meters)

•Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 348 tons

•Final Ownership: J. & T. Mathews, Toronto, Ontario

•Master at Time of Sinking: Captain Markeson

•Final Voyage: August 13, 1893

•Final Location of Wreck: 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York, Lake Ontario

•Final Disposition: Foundered in a storm and sank in 600 feet (183 meters) of water

•Final Cargo: Coal

Vessel Type Description

The Laura was a three-masted scow Schooner, a type of vessel common in the 19th century for carrying bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. Its flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged design provided stability for heavy loads and shallow Draft for navigating harbours and rivers. Constructed from wood, the Laura was built to endure the rigours of commercial shipping on Lake Ontario, transporting coal, grain, and other essential goods.

History

Construction and Early Service

The Laura was built in 1873 at Walkerville, Ontario, a centre of shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region. The Schooner’s wide, flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged design allowed for efficient transportation of heavy cargo, making it a key asset in the busy trade routes of the late 19th century. Owned by J. & T. Mathews of Toronto, the Laura was used extensively to carry goods between ports on both sides of the Canada–US border.

The Final Voyage

On August 13, 1893, the Laura embarked on what would be its last voyage. Loaded with coal in Oswego, New York, the Schooner was bound for Toronto, Ontario. While traversing Lake Ontario, the vessel encountered a severe northeast gale, a storm notorious for its sudden onset and ferocity.

Despite its sturdy build, the Laura struggled against the storm. Approximately 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York, the Schooner began to take on water and was unable to withstand the gale’s relentless battering.

Sinking and Aftermath

Recognizing the vessel’s imminent demise, Captain Markeson and the crew of nine launched the ship’s Yawl, narrowly escaping the sinking Schooner. The Laura plunged to the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario, 600 feet below the surface, taking its cargo of coal with it. Miraculously, no lives were lost during the incident—a rare outcome in such situations.

The loss of the Schooner dealt a significant financial blow to its owners, who relied on it for their operations. It also underscored the perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during that era.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: August 13, 1893

•Cause of Loss: Foundered in a storm while carrying coal

•Crew Fate: All nine crew members survived

•Wreck Condition: Believed to lie intact at a depth of 600 feet (183 meters). The exact site remains unconfirmed, though historical accounts pinpoint the wreck approximately 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Laura’s wreck. Mariners navigating this region of Lake Ontario should exercise caution due to the area’s history of shipwrecks and unpredictable weather.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website – For general shipwreck data and maritime history

•Canadian Heritage Ship Information Database – Construction and ownership records

•Great Lakes Ships Database – Comprehensive vessel histories and narratives

Conclusion

The Laura’s history epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgizes the resilience and risks of 19th-century maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Its loss during a fierce northeast gale in 1893 highlights the challenges of navigating these unpredictable inland seas. Though the wreck lies undiscovered in the depths of Lake Ontario, the story of the Laura continues to resonate as a testament to the courage of those who worked the Great Lakes.

Tags

#LauraShipwreck #LakeOntario #GreatLakesHistory #19thCenturyShipping #SchoonerShipwreck #MaritimeTragedy