Identification & Site Information

• Name: York State
• Official Number: 27514
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Schooner
• Builder: F. N. Jones, Buffalo, New York
• Year Built & Launched: 1857
• Specifications:
  • Gross Tonnage: 303 GT
  • Net Tonnage: 288 NT
  • Rebuilds:
    • 1869: Rebuilt at Ashtabula, Ohio
    • 1883: Rebuilt again (details unspecified)
• Date Lost: October 20, 1886
• Location of Loss: Giant’s Tomb Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Storm; cargo expansion caused further damage
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Grain

Vessel Description & History

The York State was a mid-19th-century wooden Schooner built in Buffalo, New York, in 1857. Designed for the grain and bulk cargo trade, she was part of the Great Lakes Schooner fleet that transported goods between Midwest grain ports like Chicago and Eastern Canadian milling centers like Midland, Ontario.

During her nearly 30-year career, the vessel underwent two significant rebuilds—one in 1869 at Ashtabula, Ohio, and another in 1883, possibly to extend her working life or increase her capacity. These rebuilds indicate she was well-used but also required major maintenance to keep her operational.

Final Voyage & Loss

On October 20, 1886, the York State was carrying a load of grain from Chicago to Midland, Ontario, when she ran aground on Giant’s Tomb Island in Georgian Bay. Despite efforts to salvage her, the ship’s Hull filled with water and was badly damaged.

A major factor in her ultimate destruction was the swelling of her grain cargo when it became saturated with water. As the grain expanded, it forced the Hull apart, causing additional structural failure and rendering any recovery attempts impossible.

Final Disposition

With her Hull breached beyond repair, the York State was Abandoned as a Total Loss. There is no record of salvage, and it is likely that her remains deteriorated naturally over time in the waters off Giant’s Tomb Island.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage has been documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No known navigational hazards associated with this vessel exist today. However, Giant’s Tomb Island remains a well-known shipwreck site in Georgian Bay, with many vessels meeting a similar fate on its rocky shores.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The York State was a veteran grain Schooner, operating on the Great Lakes for nearly 30 years before her accidental grounding and destruction in 1886. Her fate demonstrates the perils of carrying grain cargo in wooden ships, where water exposure could lead to catastrophic expansion and structural failure. Though her exact wreck site remains undocumented, she is one of many lost vessels near Giant’s Tomb Island, a notorious hazard in Georgian Bay.