Identification & Site Information

•  Name: J.L. Ranney
• Former Names: None documented
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Likely constructed by Louis Shickluna or associated shipbuilders in St. Catharines, Ontario
• Vessel Type: Fore-and-aft rigged Schooner
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Number of Masts: 2
• Tonnage (Old Style): 113 tons
• Ownership (1854): Norris & Graham, St. Catharines, Ontario

Vessel Type

The J.L. Ranney was a two-masted wooden Schooner, specifically rigged fore-and-aft, a design commonly used on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. This rigging style allowed for better maneuverability, especially in the variable wind conditions of the Great Lakes, and required smaller crews compared to square-rigged vessels. Schooners like the J.L. Ranney were versatile workhorses used primarily for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, lumber, coal, and other commodities essential to the rapidly industrializing economies surrounding the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1850 in St. Catharines, Ontario, the J.L. Ranney was constructed during a period when the Welland Canal was driving significant growth in the region’s shipbuilding industry. St. Catharines was a key shipbuilding hub due to its strategic location near the canal, which provided direct access to Lake Ontario and the wider Great Lakes network.

With a tonnage of 113 tons, the Schooner would have been around 80–100 feet in length, making her a medium-sized vessel suitable for both coastal and cross-lake voyages. Her wooden Hull, typical for the era, was likely constructed from durable hardwoods like oak for framing and pine for planking, materials readily available in Ontario’s forests.

Operational History

By 1854, the J.L. Ranney was owned by Norris & Graham, a St. Catharines-based company likely involved in shipping or trading goods across the Great Lakes. The Schooner would have transported a variety of bulk cargoes, including:

• Lumber, from northern forests to growing cities like Toronto, Buffalo, and Detroit
• Grain and agricultural products, supporting trade between Canadian and American ports
• Possibly coal or construction materials, as industrial demand grew across the region

The J.L. Ranney operated during a pivotal time in Great Lakes commerce, when the expansion of the Welland Canal and other infrastructure projects facilitated booming trade routes between Canada and the U.S.

Final Disposition and Legacy

While specific details about the J.L. Ranney’s ultimate fate are limited, it is known that her Hull was repurposed in 1856 to construct the Schooner Fred L. Wells in Port Huron, Michigan. This suggests that by the mid-1850s, the vessel was either no longer economically viable in her original form due to age, damage, or design limitations.

Repurposing older hulls was a common practice in the 19th century, especially if the frame remained structurally sound. Builders would often modify or entirely Rebuild the superstructure to create a more modern, efficient vessel while saving on material costs.

Connection to the Fred L. Wells

In 1856, the Schooner Fred L. Wells was constructed using the Hull of the J.L. Ranney. This new vessel operated for over a decade before being lost near Port Bruce, Ontario, in 1868. The J.L. Ranney’s legacy thus lived on through the Fred L. Wells, illustrating the durability and adaptability of 19th-century shipbuilding techniques.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed records of the J.L. Ranney’s remains, as her Hull was incorporated into the Fred L. Wells. Any remnants would likely correspond with the wreck site of the latter vessel near Port Bruce, Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – No known navigational hazards are associated with the original vessel.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Welland Canal Heritage Resources
• Louis Shickluna Shipyard History

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: J.L. Ranney, Schooner, St. Catharines shipbuilding, Norris & Graham, Fred L. Wells, Louis Shickluna, Welland Canal vessels

Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Canadian Maritime History, 19th Century Shipbuilding, Repurposed Ship Hulls

Glossary Terms:

• Fore-and-aft Rigged: A sail configuration where sails run parallel to the ship’s length, allowing for better maneuverability, especially upwind.
• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• Hull Repurposing: The practice of reusing an existing ship’s Hull as the foundation for constructing a new vessel.
• Welland Canal: A key shipping route connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, facilitating maritime trade through St. Catharines, Ontario.

Conclusion

The J.L. Ranney reflects the dynamic shipbuilding era of the mid-19th century, serving as a key cargo vessel before being repurposed into the Schooner Fred L. Wells. Built in St. Catharines, a center of Canadian maritime commerce, the Schooner’s history showcases the durability of wooden ship construction and the interconnectedness of Great Lakes trade routes. Though her original form no longer exists, her legacy endures through maritime records and her contribution to the region’s nautical history.