IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: E.G. BENEDICT

Type: Schooner

Builder: H. Rathbun & Son, Mill Point, Ontario

Year Built: 1869

Dimensions: 105 feet (length), 26 feet (beam), 8 feet (depth)

Tonnage: 155 tons

Owner: Captain Thomas Lucas (initially), later J.H. Walker of Walkerville, Ontario

Home Port: Montreal, Quebec

Final Location: Near Port Stanley, Ontario, Lake Erie

Depth of Wreck: Grounded in shallow water, approximately eight feet deep

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The E.G. BENEDICT was a wooden, two-masted Schooner designed for carrying cargo across the Great Lakes. Built in 1869, its sturdy construction was well-suited for transporting goods like elm bolts, a type of lumber used in industrial applications. With its compact size and robust design, it exemplified the hardworking cargo schooners of the 19th century, which were vital to the economic lifeblood of the Great Lakes region.

HISTORY

The E.G. BENEDICT began its career as a dependable freight carrier, serving ports throughout the Great Lakes. Built in Ontario and originally under the command of Captain Thomas Lucas, it later passed to J.H. Walker of Walkerville, Ontario, in 1886. This vessel played an important role in transporting timber and other goods between Canadian and American ports, connecting burgeoning industrial centers.

In November 1891, the Schooner embarked on what would become its final voyage. Laden with a cargo of elm bolts, it set sail from Smith’s Dock to Buffalo, New York. The crew, led by Captain Lucas, faced unexpected adversity as they approached the harbor entrance of Port Stanley, Ontario. A collision with a sandbar rendered the vessel uncontrollable, leaving it at the mercy of Lake Erie’s fierce November gales.

The storm pushed the E.G. BENEDICT toward the shoreline, where it grounded on a sandy bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg just eight feet from the shore. Despite the crew’s efforts to save the ship, the Schooner became a victim of the powerful winds and waves.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The E.G. BENEDICT broke apart after grounding near Port Stanley. Though the life-saving team, led by Captain William Berry, successfully rescued the crew, the vessel was lost to the storm. The remains of the Schooner likely deteriorated over time, with no significant wreck site documented in modern records.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck’s location is not formally documented, but its grounding near Port Stanley was well reported in contemporary accounts. The lack of a submerged wreck site suggests the remains were either salvaged or disintegrated due to exposure to Lake Erie’s conditions.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the E.G. BENEDICT, as it was broken apart in shallow water shortly after the incident.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the Schooner’s destruction soon after grounding, it is unlikely that any significant remains are accessible for exploration today. The vessel’s shallow resting place and subsequent exposure to waves and weather likely contributed to the dispersal of its structure over time.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive resource for records on Great Lakes shipping and shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical database documenting maritime losses in the Great Lakes region.

•Port Stanley Historical Society: Local historical accounts may provide additional context for the rescue efforts and the storm’s impact.

KEYWORDS

#EGBenedict #LakeErieShipwreck #Schooner #PortStanley #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #ElmBoltsTransport

CONCLUSION

The story of the E.G. BENEDICT highlights the perilous conditions faced by Great Lakes mariners during the 19th century. The Schooner’s loss underscores the challenges of navigating Lake Erie’s stormy waters and serves as a tribute to the resilience of sailors and the bravery of life-saving crews. While the vessel itself may no longer exist, its legacy remains an important chapter in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.