Identification & Site Information

• Name: MATILDA TAYLOR
• Official Number: None recorded (possibly Canadian registration)
• Type at Loss: Brig, Wood, 2-Mast
• Year Built: Unknown
• Specifications: Unknown (likely consistent with mid-19th-century brigs operating on the Great Lakes, possibly around 80–120 ft in length based on typical brigs of the era)
• Date of Loss: 1848
• Place of Loss: 2 miles east of Point Breeze, New York (Oak Orchard)

Vessel Type

The MATILDA TAYLOR was a Brig, a two-masted sailing vessel with square rigging on both masts. Brigs were popular for Great Lakes commerce during the mid-19th century due to their versatility in carrying bulk cargoes and their relative ease of maneuverability compared to larger square-rigged ships.

Description & History

Details about the MATILDA TAYLOR are sparse, with her origins, dimensions, and operational history largely undocumented in surviving maritime records. However, as a Brig, she was likely engaged in regional trade on Lake Ontario, possibly transporting goods such as lumber, grain, or general freight between ports in the United States and Canada.

In 1848, the vessel encountered a severe gale on Lake Ontario. The storm drove her ashore 2 miles east of Point Breeze, New York, a location known for hazardous shallows and unpredictable weather conditions. The wreck was severe enough to be recorded in early maritime sources, indicating a Total Loss.

Compounding the tragedy, a Barge sent to assist the stricken Brig was also wrecked during the storm. Unfortunately, the name of the Barge and the specifics of the rescue attempt are not documented.

Final Disposition

The MATILDA TAYLOR was wrecked beyond recovery following the storm. The absence of any records indicating salvage operations suggests she was considered a Total Loss shortly after the incident. It is possible that her remains lie buried beneath sediment or scattered along the shoreline near Point Breeze.

Resources & Links

• Inland Seas Journal (IS)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Telescope, v. 36, n. 6 (November-December 1987)
• Casualty List for 1850
• Erik Hyle’s private papers

Conclusion

The loss of the MATILDA TAYLOR in 1848 reflects the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during the age of sail. Like many vessels of her time, limited documentation has survived, making her a “ghost ship” of the lakes—remembered only through brief mentions in historical records. Her wreck, along with that of the assisting Barge, highlights both the dangers faced by mariners and the risks often taken in rescue efforts on the Great Lakes.