P.B. Locke: A Legacy Beneath Lake Ontario
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
• Name: P.B. Locke
• Construction: Wooden Hull, three masts
• Builder: Toledo, Ohio, USA
• Year Built: 1872
• Dimensions:
• Length: 135.9 feet (42 meters)
• Beam: 26 feet
• Depth: 11.4 feet
• Tonnage: Gross: 285 | Net: 270
• Final Resting Place: Bowmanville, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: N 44.17417, W 78.54444
• Depth: 80 feet (26 meters)
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The P.B. Locke was a robust wooden Schooner Barge with a three-mast configuration, designed for the demanding conditions of Great Lakes navigation. Built for versatility, it was capable of carrying substantial cargo, such as coal and stone, and was a critical component of 19th-century maritime commerce.
HISTORY
The P.B. Locke was constructed in 1872 by skilled shipwrights in Toledo, Ohio, and quickly became a valuable asset in Great Lakes shipping. For decades, it transported essential cargoes across the lakes, facing the perils of storms, collisions, and groundings that were common in that era.
• 1875: Ran aground near Ashtabula harbor but was successfully refloated without damage.
• 1881: Grounded again in Detour, Lake Huron, and was refloated.
• 1895: Ran aground at Grand Island on Lake Superior and was repurposed into a Barge after this incident.
Final Voyage:
On November 1, 1912, under tow by the Steamer Juno, the P.B. Locke carried a cargo of stone across Lake Ontario. A fierce storm overtook the vessel three miles southeast of Port Hope. Despite the crew’s efforts to save the Barge, it succumbed to the storm and Foundered, marking the end of its service.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The wreck of the P.B. Locke lies at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters) near Bowmanville in Lake Ontario. The site reveals well-preserved remains, including ribs, decking, rigging blocks, a ship’s wheel, and a boiler. These artifacts tell the story of a vessel that served as a cornerstone of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
• Condition: The wreck is relatively well-preserved, offering divers a glimpse into its historic structure and components.
• Accessibility: Suitable for advanced divers; Visibility and conditions vary. Caution is advised due to the lake’s unpredictable nature.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Keywords
P.B. Locke, Schooner Barge, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, Bowmanville dive site, 19th-century shipwreck, wooden Schooner, shipwreck preservation, underwater exploration, diving in Lake Ontario.
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