IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: Maggie L.

Type: Schooner (Wooden, Carvel-Built)

Year Built: 1889

Builder: Picton, Ontario, Canada

Registered Port: Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Dimensions:

•Length: 67 feet (20.42 meters)

•Beam: 17.4 feet (5.3 meters)

•Depth: 5.2 feet (1.6 meters)

Tonnage:

•Gross: 49.2 tons

•Net: 42.13 tons

Decks: 1

Rigging: Two-masted Schooner

Location of Wreck: Near Clayton, New York, St. Lawrence River

Coordinates: N 44° 14.644’, W 76° 5.683’

Depth at Wreck Site: 65 feet (19.81 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Maggie L. was a wooden carvel-built Schooner with two masts, commonly used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Designed for hauling bulk cargo such as coal, its sturdy construction and Schooner rigging made it ideal for navigating the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. However, like many sailing vessels of its time, the Maggie L. faced obsolescence with the advent of steam and motor-powered ships.

HISTORY

Built in 1889 in Picton, Ontario, the Maggie L. began its life as a cargo hauler, transporting materials such as coal across Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Its small size and efficient rigging made it a dependable vessel for regional trade. Registered in Kingston, Ontario, the ship served for over 40 years, a testament to its sturdy design and adaptability.

In its later years, the Maggie L. became an anachronism, representing a bygone era of maritime transportation. The rise of steam-powered and motorized vessels had relegated schooners like the Maggie L. to the fringes of commercial shipping.

Final Voyage

On November 1, 1929, the Maggie L. set out from Bath, Ontario, to Clayton, New York, to collect a load of coal. However, tragedy struck when the Schooner collided with the freighter Keystone near Clayton. The collision sheared off 14 feet of the Schooner’s bow, causing catastrophic damage.

The Maggie L. quickly sank to the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of the St. Lawrence River. In the aftermath, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blew off the vessel’s masts to eliminate navigational hazards. Fortunately, there were no reports of fatalities associated with the incident.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Maggie L. now lies in 65 feet (19.81 meters) of water near Clayton, New York. The wreck is remarkably well-preserved, with many of its structural features intact despite the passage of time. It serves as a poignant reminder of the Schooner’s era and its ultimate decline with the rise of modern maritime technology.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Maggie L. wreck site. However, divers and mariners in the area should be cautious and aware of underwater hazards near the coordinates provided.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Maggie L. has been known to local divers and maritime historians for many years. Its shallow depth and proximity to Clayton, New York, make it a popular site for exploration.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Maggie L. lies upright on the riverbed, with much of its structure still intact despite the damage sustained during the collision. The relatively shallow depth of 65 feet (19.81 meters) makes the site accessible to recreational divers, offering a unique glimpse into the past. Artifacts such as parts of the rigging and cargo remnants may still be present, but divers are encouraged to respect the historical integrity of the site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Thousand Islands Museum, Clayton, NY: Offers historical context for vessels like the Maggie L. and their roles in regional commerce.

•St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation: Provides detailed records and accounts of shipwrecks in the area.

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: Dedicated to the exploration and conservation of wrecks like the Maggie L..

•Local Dive Charters: Many operators in Clayton provide guided dives to the wreck of the Maggie L. and other sites in the region.

KEYWORDS

Maggie L., Schooner, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River shipwreck, Clayton, NY, coal transport, wooden shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, freighter collision, shipwreck diving.

ANALYSIS

The wreck of the Maggie L. encapsulates the transition from traditional sail-powered vessels to modern steam and motorized ships. Its final voyage, marked by the collision with the freighter Keystone, underscores the dangers faced by vessels operating on busy waterways. Today, the wreck serves as both a historical artifact and a site of underwater exploration, allowing divers and historians to connect with a bygone era of Great Lakes shipping.