Other Names #
- L.E. CALVIN
- COMMERCE 1843
- ECLIPSE – Built on
The bark Laura E. Calvin, previously known as the Commerce and Eclipse, met a tragic fate when it sank due to a leak off Broderick’s Point in Lake Ontario, resulting in a total loss. The incident occurred in 1869 and was documented by Captain J.W. Hall in the “Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869.” The captain of the vessel, Captain Lounghway, provided an account of the events leading to the loss of the Laura E. Calvin. The ship departed Kingston on Tuesday, the 3rd of the month, bound for Chicago with a ballast of twelve tons of stone. Initially, the wind shifted from west to north and blew strongly for twelve hours before calming down. There was no significant wind throughout the day on Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the pumps were tested and revealed no significant water presence. The night was characterized by intermittent fog and relatively light winds. The captain was on deck until midnight, and then the mate took over. At four o’clock in the morning, when the mate called the watch, he noticed that the vessel was leaking severely and alerted the captain, who came on deck and ordered all hands to pump. The ship steered west by south until approximately five o’clock when the water continued to rise despite pumping efforts. The ship’s course was changed to S. by S.E., but by half past seven on Thursday morning, the crew had to abandon the vessel as it was sinking rapidly. The captain was the last to leave the ship, and shortly after the crew boarded the lifeboat, the Laura E. Calvin sank with all sails set. Despite attempts to locate the leak, the water was flooding the ship too quickly to identify its source. The crew hoisted a signal at half-past five in the morning, which was noticed by the schooner John Martin, captained by Captain Porter from Fulton. The John Martin responded to the distress signal, and with their assistance, the crew of the Laura E. Calvin was safely transferred to the other vessel. They reached Port Dalhousie on the night of Friday, the 5th of the month. The shipwreck occurred near Braddock’s Point, approximately 60 miles from Niagara and between three and twelve miles from the shore.
The Laura E. Calvin had a significant history prior to its sinking. Originally built as the Commerce in 1843, it was later renamed the Eclipse. The name change was prompted by the vessel’s remarkable performance during its trial trip from Hamilton to Toronto. It surpassed the speed of the Oswego steamer Lady of the Lake, which was known for its swiftness at that time. Consequently, the vessel was rechristened Eclipse, signifying its achievement of surpassing any other ship on the lake. The ship operated on the route between Hamilton and Toronto.
In terms of its specifications, the Laura E. Calvin was a bark with a tonnage of 311 tons. It was built in 1863 by H. Roney at Garden Island. The vessel measured 130.40 feet in length, 20.70 feet in beam, and had a depth of 9.40 feet. Its carvel build featured a square stern, and it had three masts rigged as a schooner. The ship was registered in Kingston and owned by Calvin & Breck, with Garden Island as its home port. Its assessed value was $12,000, and it was classified as A2. Notably, the Laura E. Calvin was built on the bottom of the steamer Eclipse, which had been reconstructed in 1863.
The Laura E. Calvin’s sinking and its unique history as the Eclipse and Commerce contribute to the maritime lore of Lake Ontario. Its unfortunate demise serves as a reminder of the challenges
