IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Brothers

•Type: Schooner

•Year Built: Pre-1845 (exact year unknown)

•Builder: Not documented

•Construction: Wooden Hull, single Deck, two masts

•Tonnage: Approximately 10-20 tons (old measurement system)

•Original Owners: John and Charles McIntosh (post-War of 1812)

•Final Voyage: February 14, 1845

•Final Location of Wreck: Approximately 25 miles below Niagara County, New York, Lake Ontario

•Final Disposition: Capsized during a storm with heavy ice; wreckage found on the American shore

•Casualties: All nine crew members and passengers presumed lost

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Brothers was a small Schooner, typical of the early 19th century Great Lakes trade vessels. Designed with a wooden Hull and two masts, it was compact yet sturdy, optimized for transporting goods and passengers between the growing settlements along Lake Ontario’s shores. With a tonnage of 10-20 tons, it was well-suited for short- to medium-distance voyages in the bustling maritime trade network of the region.

HISTORY

Early Ownership and Service

The Brothers became the property of John and Charles McIntosh, prominent maritime figures, following the War of 1812. Historical records suggest John McIntosh captained the Schooner as early as 1832. His brother Charles McIntosh was a seasoned mariner as well, though his career was cut short by cholera in 1834. The Brothers served as a critical link in their shipping operations, ferrying goods and passengers between various ports on Lake Ontario, contributing to the region’s economic growth.

THE FINAL VOYAGE

On February 14, 1845, the Brothers set sail from Niagara bound for Toronto with 12 people onboard. The decision to depart was risky as weather conditions had already deteriorated into a full-scale winter storm with heavy ice spreading across Lake Ontario. The steam Packet Transit, scheduled to make the same route, refused to sail due to the perilous conditions, leaving the Brothers to brave the storm alone.

The Schooner was last seen struggling amid ice floes, battling ferocious winds and waves. Witnesses feared the worst as the storm raged on, and the vessel disappeared from sight.

THE WRECK AND AFTERMATH

Wreckage from the Brothers was later discovered approximately 25 miles below Niagara County, New York, along the American shore of Lake Ontario. The vessel was found capsized, lying on its beam ends, with its foremast missing—evidence of the storm’s intensity. Despite searches, no survivors or bodies were recovered, and all nine souls onboard were presumed lost.

This tragic loss highlighted the hazards of navigating the Great Lakes during winter, when storms and ice were unforgiving adversaries. Families of the victims and maritime communities mourned the loss, and the incident served as a grim reminder of the risks mariners faced.

LEGACY OF THE BROTHERS

The Brothers is remembered as a symbol of both the determination and vulnerability of 19th-century sailors on the Great Lakes. Its demise underscores the challenges of commerce and transportation in an era when maritime travel was both vital and perilous. The decision to set sail despite warnings from other vessels reflects the intense pressures of trade, yet it also serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictable dangers of Lake Ontario in winter.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1.David Swayze Shipwreck File

A database detailing shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the story of the Brothers.

2.Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website

Offers historical records and narratives related to the Great Lakes’ maritime history.

3.Great Lakes Ships Database

A comprehensive resource documenting vessels like the Brothers.

4.“Town of York” by Edith G. Firth

A historical account featuring the lives and careers of John and Charles McIntosh, key figures in the Schooner’s history.

KEYWORDS

•Brothers, Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, John and Charles McIntosh, Winter Storm, 19th Century Maritime Trade, Great Lakes History, Niagara County Wreck, Wooden Hull Vessel, Ice Damage Shipwreck.

ANALYSIS

The Brothers embodies the spirit of resilience and the inherent risks of early maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Its loss in 1845 serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by sailors and their vessels in the face of nature’s unpredictable forces. Today, the Brothersremains a significant part of Lake Ontario’s maritime lore, an enduring testament to the courage and sacrifices of those who navigated its waters.