Prince of Wales (1842). Hannah (1844)

J.W. Langmuir (Schooner)

• Type: Wooden Fore and Aft Topsail Schooner
• Other Names:
• Prince of Wales (1842)
• Hannah (1844)
• Construction Year: 1865
• Construction Location: Picton, Ontario
• Builder: John Tate
• Registration Date: July 6, 1865
• Dimensions: Length: 88 feet (26.8 meters) Beam: 21 feet (6.4 meters) Depth of Hold: 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 meters)
• Tonnage: 116 gross tons
• Rigging: Two-masted, Fore and Aft Topsail Schooner
• Hull Type: Wooden, Carvel-built
• Stern: Square
• Decks: Single Deck
• Initial Owner (1865): J.W. Langmuir (sole owner)
• Subsequent Owners: Richard Walters and Edward Neale (Toronto): Acquired July 7, 1874

Notable Events

Pre-1865 History (as Prince of Wales and Hannah): The vessel’s earlier identities reflect its lengthy career before being re-registered as the J.W. Langmuir, suggesting extensive service under different roles and ownerships.

1868: Underwent significant repairs, likely marking its Conversion from a Brig to a Schooner.

1860: Suffered a lightning strike that split its mainmast, an unusual and dramatic event in its operational history.

October 1874: Final Voyage:

Route: From Picton, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. Encountered severe water ingress about 8 miles off Oswego, making the vessel unmanageable.

Wreck Location: Grounded on the shoal at the head of Galloo Island in Lake Ontario.

Outcome: The crew escaped using the vessel’s Yawl. Cargo looted by the Schooner Sassacus and Tug Wheeler. Vessel broke apart and became a Total Loss.

Wreck Site Description

• Coordinates: 43.93206° N, 76.4268° W
• Location: Galloo Island, approximately eight miles from Oswego, New York.

Significance and Legacy

The J.W. Langmuir represents a fascinating example of 19th-century maritime versatility and resilience. Its transformation from a Brig to a Schooner, its various ownership transitions, and its tumultuous operational history reflect the dynamic nature of Great Lakes shipping during this era. Though ultimately lost, the vessel’s story endures as part of the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes, preserved through historical accounts and the efforts of maritime researchers.

Sources and External Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Database
• Thousand Island Life Magazine – Online
• Newspaper Transcriptions
• Casualty List for 1873, Chicago Inter-Ocean, Dec 25, 1874
• Port of Picton Registry, July 6, 1865
• C.H.J. Snider Schooner Days Index, Naval Marine Archive Online
• The Sonar Guy – Website
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

The J.W. Langmuir is a testament to the challenges and transformations of maritime life in the Great Lakes, where vessels were continually adapted and tested by the elements. Its wreck remains a poignant reminder of the risks and rewards of seafaring during this period.