IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Thomas C. Street was initially built as a three-masted square-rigged vessel by Louis Shickluna at St. Catharines, Ontario. Designed for the Great Lakes, she was later modified to a barquentine rig, carrying a square fore-sail along with fore-and-aft sails. She was known for her strength and ability to handle various conditions, including multiple transatlantic voyages. However, her design also included a deep monkey-rail, which often left her decks awash in heavy seas.
HISTORY #
The Thomas C. Street was one of the most well-known vessels on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Despite being designed primarily for lake navigation, she was adventurous enough to make several successful ocean voyages. These included trips to London with a cargo of Canadian woods and fertilizers, and to Demerara, British Guiana, with another cargo before returning with sugar and rum to Montreal. She also played a significant role in the lumber trade between the Great Lakes and various ports.
Her final voyage, however, ended in tragedy. On November 7, 1880, the Street encountered a severe northwest gale on Lake Ontario. Despite her sturdy construction and new storm canvas, the vessel’s sails were shredded by the wind, leaving her powerless to avoid the rocky shores near Wellington, Prince Edward County. The crew managed to survive by using a hawser to slide to shore from the fore crosstrees, but the wreck of the Thomas C. Street remained on the beach for nine years before finally breaking apart.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The wreck of the Thomas C. Street lay on the stony beach near Wellington for nearly a decade, a testament to her strong construction. Despite the harsh conditions of Lake Ontario, the vessel’s remains resisted the elements for years before finally succumbing to the relentless waves.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck was located near Wellington, Prince Edward County, soon after the disaster in 1880. The location of the wreck remained a local landmark until it gradually disintegrated.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific NOTMARs or advisories related to the wreck site. However, the area near Wellington is known for its rocky shores and treacherous conditions during storms, which have claimed numerous vessels over the years.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Shipwreck Stories
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
CONCLUSION #
The story of the Thomas C. Street is one of both triumph and tragedy, reflecting the perilous nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her sturdy construction allowed her to survive multiple transatlantic voyages, but ultimately, the unpredictable weather of Lake Ontario brought her career to an end. Her legacy, however, lives on as a symbol of the bravery and resilience of those who sailed the Great Lakes.
Keywords: Thomas C. Street, Lake Ontario, barquentine, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Wellington, Louis Shickluna, 19th-century maritime history.
