Shipwreck Report: J.G. McGrath

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: J.G. McGrath
• • Type: Schooner
• • Location: Lake Erie, near Long Point, approximately 20 miles off the coast
• • Coordinates: N 42° 40.076’, W 79° 23.78’
• • Depth: 90 feet (27 meters)
• • Year Built: 1870
• • Builder: Louis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
• • Hull Material: Wood
• • Registration: St. Catharines, Ontario

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The J.G. McGrath was a single-Deck wooden Schooner designed for transporting bulk cargo on the Great Lakes.

• • Dimensions (as built):
• • Length: 104 feet (31.7 meters)
• • Beam: 25.5 feet (7.8 meters)
• • Depth: 10.5 feet (3.2 meters)
• • Dimensions (updated 1877):
• • Length: 105 feet (32 meters)
• • Beam: 22.5 feet (6.9 meters)
• • Depth: 10.2 feet (3.1 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 217 tons
• • Capacity: 13,000 bushels
• HISTORY

Construction and Early Ownership

• • Builder: Louis Shickluna, a renowned shipbuilder, constructed the vessel in 1870 in St. Catharines, Ontario.
• • Launch: The Schooner was launched on April 22, 1870, and registered in St. Catharines five days later.
• • Original Name: It may have been named Taliafarro before being renamed J.G. McGrath.

Ownership Timeline

• • 1870–1874: Owned by Louis Shickluna of St. Catharines.
• • 1874–1877: Ownership transferred to Glenn of St. Catharines.
• • 1877: Acquired by H.C. Dunlop of Goderich, Ontario.

Final Voyage and Tragedy

• Date of Sinking: October 28, 1878.

• Route: From Point au Pelee, Ontario, to St. Catharines.

• Cargo: Stone blocks.

• Incident: The Schooner encountered a severe gale near Long Point, Lake Erie, approximately 20 miles offshore, and Foundered.

Registry Closure

• Date: November 27, 1879.

• The Schooner’s registry was officially closed following its loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Wreck Depth: 150 feet (46 meters).

• The Schooner remains submerged near Long Point in Lake Erie, preserving its historical significance and serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

SIGNIFICANCE IN MARITIME HISTORY

The J.G. McGrath represents a critical era of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes, where schooners like it transported essential goods between ports. Its builder, Louis Shickluna, was known for producing durable and reliable vessels. The sinking of the Schooner, carrying stone blocks, highlights the challenges faced by sailors navigating unpredictable weather conditions.

The wreck serves as an underwater time capsule for maritime archaeologists and divers interested in exploring the legacy of Great Lakes shipping.

TAGS

#JGMcGrath #Schooner #LakeErie #Shipwreck #LouisShickluna #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #LongPointWrecks

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database

• Merchant Vessel Lists (1870–1879)

• Local Historical Societies in St. Catharines and Goderich

CONCLUSION

The J.G. McGrath was a product of one of the most prolific shipbuilders of the 19th century and served its purpose diligently until its tragic loss in 1878. Its story is a testament to the resilience of the sailors who braved the Great Lakes, and its wreckage remains a poignant marker of the region’s maritime history.