3D Model 

Galloo Island Wreck by Shot Line Diving on Sketchfab

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: Unidentified Hull (Potentially Rover)

Type: Wooden Sloop

Year Built: 1897

Builder: Alexandria Bay, New York

Official Number: 111150

Location of Incident: Near Galloo Island, Lake Ontario

Coordinates: Exact coordinates not provided; within the vicinity of Galloo Island

Depth at Wreck Site: Shallow waters near Galloo Island’s shoreline

Final Disposition: November 19, 1915

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The vessel, believed to be the Rover, was a wooden sloop built in 1897. Sloops are single-masted vessels with fore-and-aft rigging, prized for their agility and speed. With a length of 36 feet (10.97 meters), a beam of 11 feet (3.35 meters), and a depth of 3 feet (0.91 meters), the Rover was modestly sized and ideal for small-scale transport and recreational sailing. Its Gross Tonnage of 7 tons suggests it was a light and nimble craft, designed for quick navigation and not for heavy cargo loads.

HISTORY

The Rover was constructed in Alexandria Bay, New York, during an era when small wooden sailing vessels were a common sight on the Great Lakes. Built with expert craftsmanship, the Rover served its owners as a versatile and reliable vessel, navigating the waters of Lake Ontario for nearly two decades.

On November 19, 1915, the Rover met its end during a severe storm that battered the region. The vessel was stranded in the shallows near Galloo Island. While the storm rendered the sloop irrecoverable, no loss of life was reported. The wreck settled in the shallow waters near the island, where it lay unidentified for many years, gradually becoming a part of Lake Ontario’s underwater heritage.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Rover was stranded and wrecked near Galloo Island during a storm on November 19, 1915. Despite the vessel’s small size and the storm’s severity, there were no casualties reported. The wreck was Abandoned and left to deteriorate in the shallow waters of Lake Ontario. Its remains, now part of the island’s shipwreck legacy, have since drawn interest from maritime historians and divers.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the Rover wreck. Divers and mariners navigating near Galloo Island should be aware of potential underwater hazards and the presence of multiple wreck sites in the area.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck, initially identified as an “unidentified Hull,” has been tentatively associated with the Rover through ongoing research by the SLD team and maritime historians. The exact date of discovery has not been documented, but the site remains an object of interest for shipwreck investigations in the region.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The remains of the Rover lie in shallow waters near Galloo Island, making it an accessible site for divers. The vessel’s wooden construction and decades of submersion have likely resulted in significant deterioration. However, the site still offers an opportunity to explore a historical sloop and understand the challenges faced by such vessels on the Great Lakes.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed records and historical accounts of shipwrecks like the Rover.

•Patrick Labadie Collection: A valuable archive for shipwreck researchers and maritime historians.

•1897 Blue Book of American Shipping: Historical vessel registry documentation.

•Snider, C.H.J., Toronto Telegram: Archival accounts and records related to Great Lakes maritime history.

KEYWORDS

•Rover

•Galloo Island shipwreck

•Wooden sloop

•19th-century sailing vessels

•Lake Ontario shipwrecks

•Small craft navigation

•Great Lakes maritime history

ANALYSIS

The wreck near Galloo Island, potentially identified as the Rover, highlights the perilous conditions faced by small wooden vessels on the Great Lakes. Despite its modest size, the Rover played a significant role in regional transport and recreation before succumbing to a severe storm in 1915. Its wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges of early 20th-century sailing and the enduring mystery surrounding many of Lake Ontario’s shipwrecks.

Aerial Video CC Dan Gildea 2023

Underwater video CC Dan Gildea 2023