Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Nellie Wilder

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Year Built: Mid-19th century (exact year not specified)

• Owners: Initially Everleigh and others; later owned by B. Overleigh of Sacketts Harbor

• Final Disposition: Foundered near Galoo Island, Lake Ontario, October 1880

• Cause of Wreck: Heavy winds and collision with rocks

• Cargo: 20,000 bushels of wheat

• Estimated Loss: Total Loss, uninsured

• Coordinates: Near Galoo Island, Lake Ontario (exact coordinates not documented)

Vessel Type Description

The Nellie Wilder was a wooden Schooner, a vessel type widely used across the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk goods such as grain, lumber, and coal. Schooners like the Nellie Wilder were valued for their robust wooden construction, ability to carry large cargo loads, and design suited to handle the dynamic and often dangerous waters of the Great Lakes. Typically equipped with multiple masts, schooners provided versatility and resilience, though they were still vulnerable to severe weather and hidden underwater hazards.

History

The Nellie Wilder began her career under the ownership of Everleigh and others, with high hopes for profitable trading routes. However, her journey encountered setbacks from the outset. On June 4, 1874, the vessel ran aground at Southeast Bend in the St. Clair River, becoming stranded on an exposed rock. Despite efforts by the crew to dislodge her, the Schooner remained trapped for some time before eventually being freed.

In October 1880, carrying a valuable shipment of 20,000 bushels of wheat destined for Ogdensburg, New York, the Nellie Wilder set out again, this time under B. Overleigh’s ownership. However, as she neared Galoo Island on Lake Ontario, she encountered powerful winds that forced her onto exposed rocks. The impact was catastrophic: the Schooner’s Hull was breached, her Stern and side were torn apart, and the vessel ultimately broke up. The entire cargo of wheat, shipped by Williams & Co. from Toledo, was lost with the vessel. To compound the tragedy, the ship and cargo were uninsured, leaving the owners to suffer a substantial financial loss.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Nellie Wilder off Galoo Island in October 1880 marked the end of her short but eventful career. The Schooner was destroyed beyond salvage, leaving only fragments as a reminder of the risks and hazards sailors faced on the Great Lakes. The loss of both the uninsured ship and her cargo left a significant financial impact on her owners.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Nellie Wilder serves as a stark example of the dangers inherent to 19th-century shipping on the Great Lakes, where sudden storms, shallow waters, and rocky shoals frequently posed lethal challenges. Her story is a reminder of the financial risks and human perseverance associated with Great Lakes trade during this period.

Resources & Links

For further historical insights into the Nellie Wilder and similar Great Lakes schooners:

• Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library: Resources on Great Lakes maritime history.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships Database

• Kingston Whig-Standard:

• October 13, 1880

• October 15, 1880

• Cleveland Herald: June 6, 1878

• British Whig (Kingston, ON): May 7, 1879