Wreck Report: Schooner Canada

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Canada (distinct from the Steamer Canada)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Build Year: Unknown (noted as an older vessel in 1848)
• Owner: Mr. Richardson, Toronto
• Home Port: Kingston, Ontario
• Cargo: 1,000 barrels of salt
• Length: Not specified
• Location: Near Port Hope, Lake Ontario
• Final Voyage Date: Cleared Kingston on November 30, 1848
• Wreck Date: December 3, 1848
• Coordinates: Not documented
• Condition: Total Loss
• Depth: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The Canada was a Schooner, a widely utilized vessel type in the 19th-century Great Lakes maritime trade. Designed with two or more masts and fore-and-aft rigging, schooners were versatile, capable of hauling large cargoes while navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. The Canada served as a cargo vessel, transporting goods like salt, a vital commodity for preservation and trade during the period.

History

The Canada was owned by Mr. Richardson of Toronto and operated primarily between ports on Lake Ontario. On November 30, 1848, the vessel departed Kingston with 1,000 barrels of salt, destined for Cobourg. The trip would take the Schooner near Port Hope, but by December 3, 1848, it was overtaken by a fierce gale.

The storm drove the Canada ashore near Port Hope, resulting in its complete destruction. Initial reports mistakenly identified the wreck as that of the Steamer Canada, but later confirmation clarified the loss as the Schooner Canada.

The Schooner’s captain, Alexander McDougal, was the sole survivor of the disaster. Tragically, six lives were lost, including his two sons, marking the event as a devastating maritime tragedy for the time. The property loss was estimated at $3,200, a considerable sum in the mid-19th century.

Final Disposition

The wreckage of the Canada was a Total Loss, with no recovery of the vessel or its cargo. The ship ran aground near Port Hope during the storm, and its remains were likely scattered and buried over time by the turbulent waters and sedimentation of Lake Ontario.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to the lack of documented coordinates and its presumed degradation over nearly two centuries, the wreck site is not accessible for diving or exploration. No recovery efforts were recorded, and it is unlikely that significant remains of the vessel persist today.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive historical shipwreck database.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of Great Lakes maritime records.

Keywords, Canada Schooner, Lake Ontario Wrecks, Port Hope Maritime Disasters, 19th-Century Great Lakes Shipping, Alexander McDougal, Salt Trade

Conclusion

The wreck of the Schooner Canada serves as a somber reminder of the perils of navigating Lake Ontario during the 19th century. The tragic loss of life, compounded by the confusion surrounding the vessel’s identity, highlights the challenges faced by sailors and their families. Though the wreck remains undiscovered and its memory fades with time, the Canada’s story remains an integral chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.