Shipwreck Report: AUGUSTA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: AUGUSTA

•Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner

•Build Year: 1872

•Builder: L. Shickluna

•Build Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

•Dimensions: 142 feet (43.3 m) x 26 feet (7.9 m) x 12 feet (3.7 m)

•Gross Tonnage: 342 tons

•Net Tonnage: 321 tons

•Final Voyage Date: November 25, 1900

•Wreck Date: November 25, 1900

•Location: Near Port Credit, Lake Ontario, Ontario, Canada

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Condition: Total Loss, vessel broke apart after grounding in shallows

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The AUGUSTA was a three-masted wooden Schooner, a staple of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th century. Schooners like the AUGUSTA were built for efficiency and cargo capacity, making them ideal for transporting bulk goods, including coal, lumber, and grain, across the Great Lakes. Constructed by L. Shickluna, a renowned shipbuilder in St. Catharines, Ontario, the AUGUSTA showcased the craftsmanship of Ontario’s Shipyards and was an essential part of the regional maritime economy.

HISTORY

The AUGUSTA was launched in 1872 during a period of high demand for bulk transport vessels on the Great Lakes. Throughout its nearly three-decade career, the Schooner carried various goods, playing a vital role in connecting Canadian and American ports. Despite its utility, the AUGUSTA faced a series of misfortunes:

•1890 Incident: The Schooner was wrecked and declared a Total Loss. Remarkably, it was salvaged and returned to service.

•1898 Wreck: The vessel was wrecked again, resulting in the tragic loss of seven crew members.

These incidents highlighted the hazards of Great Lakes navigation, especially during periods of inclement weather.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On November 25, 1900, the AUGUSTA embarked on its final voyage, sailing from Charlotte, New York, to Toronto, Ontario, with a cargo of coal. A sudden and severe snowstorm overwhelmed the vessel, driving it into the shallows near Port Credit, Ontario. The grounding caused catastrophic structural failure, described as “breaking her back.”

Rescue and Salvage:

•The crew of the AUGUSTA was rescued by local volunteers, who risked their lives to assist during the storm.

•The coal cargo was lightered (removed to lighten the ship), but the vessel itself was irreparably damaged and broke apart, resulting in a Total Loss.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The remains of the AUGUSTA are believed to be in shallow waters near Port Credit, Lake Ontario. Due to the severe damage and the passage of time, it is likely that little of the Schooner remains intact. Wreckage may be scattered, buried in sediment, or degraded by environmental conditions, making identification and exploration challenging.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships

CONCLUSION

The AUGUSTA, a testament to the skill of 19th-century Ontario shipbuilders, served as an indispensable link in Great Lakes trade for nearly three decades. However, its history is marked by adversity, culminating in its tragic end in 1900. The wreck off Port Credit stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, as well as the enduring legacy of the schooners that powered the region’s economic growth.

KEYWORDS

AUGUSTA, Port Credit shipwreck, three-masted Schooner, Great Lakes maritime history, L. Shickluna shipbuilder, 19th-century Schooner, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Great Lakes shipping.