The Tragic Loss of the Duke (1854)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Duke
• Former Name: Duke of Darlington
• Official Number: None
• Vessel Type: Schooner, wood, 2-mast
• Hull Material: Wood
• Built By: Unknown, South Bay, Ontario
• Year Built: 1845
• Registry: Canadian
• Tonnage: 57 tons

Vessel Type & Description

The Duke was a small, two-masted wooden schooner, commonly used in the mid-19th century for cargo transport and regional trade on Lake Ontario. Built in South Bay, Ontario, she was a workhorse vessel, but by 1854, her Hull was reported as deteriorating, described as “getting soft” in an insurance inspection.

Despite her age, the Duke remained active, owned by J. Simpson & Co. of Whitby, Ontario, and sailed out of Darlington, Ontario.

Final Voyage & Disaster

• Date of Loss: July 5, 1854
• Location: Off Highland Creek, Ontario, Lake Ontario
• Cause of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 5 or 6 out of 6 crew members (injured survivor may have died later)
• Cargo: Ballast (empty cargo hold)

The Storm & Capsizing

The Duke had just departed Toronto, heading east along Lake Ontario when she was caught in a sudden and violent storm. With no cargo to weigh her down, she was light and vulnerable to heavy winds and waves. The Schooner capsized and Foundered quickly, leaving no time for the crew to react.

Of the six men aboard, only one survived. He managed to scramble into the ship’s Yawl boat but was left adrift on the turbulent lake.

Rescue & Aftermath

The westbound Steamer Magnet, a passenger and cargo vessel, happened to be passing through the area. The crew of Magnet spotted the capsized Yawl boat and rescued the lone survivor.

The survivor, who was severely injured, told the harrowing tale of how the Duke was overcome by the storm, how his fellow crew members perished, and how he clung to life in the small boat. It remains unclear whether he survived his injuries in the days that followed.

Legacy & Historical Significance

The Duke was one of many schooners lost during sudden storms on Lake Ontario, a common hazard in the mid-19th century. Storms were especially dangerous for older vessels, like the Duke, which were not built to modern standards of strength and stability.

🔥 Lessons from the Tragedy:

• The importance of Hull inspections—had the Duke been in better condition, she might have withstood the storm.
• The unpredictability of Great Lakes weather, which continues to claim vessels to this day.
• The heroism of passing ships, like the Magnet, whose timely rescue saved at least one life.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Toronto Marine Archives
• Canadian Shipwreck Database

Conclusion

The loss of the Duke is a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. With five or six men lost in a single storm, her wreck was a tragedy felt in the port communities of Ontario. Though the vessel is long gone, her story remains a testament to the perils of 19th-century lake navigation.

Keywords & Categories

⛵ Duke shipwreck
🌊 Lake Ontario schooners
⚓ Great Lakes maritime disasters
🌩 Schooner lost in storm
🛶 19th-century shipwrecks
💀 Lost with all hands