Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Robert Bruce
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: Believed to be prior to 1835 (exact year undocumented)
• Builder: Unknown
• Construction: Wooden Hull
• Dimensions: Not recorded
• Gross Tonnage: Not recorded
• Home Port: Henderson, New York
• Final Voyage: November 11, 1835
• Final Location of Wreck: Off Henderson Point, Lake Ontario
• Final Disposition: Foundered in a storm; wreckage washed ashore at Henderson Point
• Crew:
  • Benjamin Chandler
  • Daniel Johnson
  • Albert Dye
  • One unnamed crew member
  • Passenger: Elias Everett (Watertown, NY)
• Final Cargo: Not documented

Vessel Type Description

The Robert Bruce was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. These ships were primarily used for transporting cargo and passengers across the lakes, taking advantage of their versatility and relatively shallow drafts. The lack of detailed construction records suggests the Schooner was typical of its time—functional and robust but vulnerable to the unpredictable weather conditions that frequently beset Lake Ontario.

History

Construction and Service

The Robert Bruce was built before 1835, serving as a vital link in the transportation network on Lake Ontario. Though details of its ownership and early operations remain undocumented, schooners like the Robert Bruce played essential roles in regional trade, ferrying goods, supplies, and passengers between key ports.

Final Voyage and Tragedy

On November 11, 1835, the Schooner departed Kingston, Ontario, bound for Hallowell, Ontario. The crew and its single documented passenger, Elias Everett, embarked on what would become their final journey. While details of the cargo are unknown, the Schooner likely carried trade goods or personal effects.

During the crossing, the Robert Bruce encountered a violent storm, a perilous yet familiar hazard on Lake Ontario in late fall. Buffeted by fierce winds and high waves, the vessel succumbed to the storm off Henderson Point, capsizing and sinking. All those aboard perished in the disaster, underscoring the relentless dangers faced by sailors of the time.

Aftermath

The wreckage of the Robert Bruce washed ashore at Henderson Point in the days following the storm. Among the debris were personal belongings, including a coat and wallet belonging to passenger Elias Everett. The wallet contained $719 in currency—a substantial sum—and important papers, suggesting he was engaged in significant business during the voyage.

The tragedy of the Robert Bruce coincided with the loss of another vessel, the Margaret and Ann, a British ship that sank in the same storm. Together, these incidents highlighted the perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during the era.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: November 11, 1835
• Cause of Loss: Foundered during a violent storm
• Location: Off Henderson Point, Lake Ontario
• Condition of Wreck: Wreckage washed ashore; no detailed underwater remains documented

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no current NOTMARs specifically related to the Robert Bruce, as the wreck’s remains were scattered and primarily washed ashore in 1835. Mariners should be aware of the historical significance of the area near Henderson Point.

Located By & Date

The remains of the Robert Bruce were first identified when they washed ashore at Henderson Point shortly after the storm in November 1835. No underwater surveys or recoveries have been documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage was described as scattered and destroyed, with personal belongings and fragments of the vessel recovered onshore. The lack of underwater recovery or exploration suggests the remains of the Robert Bruce are either untraceable or lost to time.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical data on Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Oswego Palladium (1835): A contemporary newspaper account detailing the wreck and its aftermath.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A resource for research on historical vessels and shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The loss of the Robert Bruce on November 11, 1835, is a somber chapter in the history of Lake Ontario shipping. Like many schooners of its era, the vessel faced the unforgiving elements with limited weather prediction capabilities and structural vulnerabilities. The tragedy is a poignant reminder of the challenges and risks of navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. While the exact resting place of the Robert Bruce remains unknown, its story continues to resonate as part of the region’s rich maritime heritage.

Tags#RobertBruce #Schooner #LakeOntario #Shipwreck #HendersonPoint #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturyVessels #StormWrecks