IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
- Type: Schooner
- Purpose: The Clipper was a small schooner with a tonnage of 20 tons, primarily engaged in coastal trade. It was involved in the transportation of wood, stone, and other materials along the shores of Lake Ontario. Its modest size made it suitable for navigating the coastal waters and fulfilling the demands of local commerce in the mid-19th century.
HISTORY The schooner Clipper was constructed in 1855 in Toronto, Ontario. Owned by Cummings and captained by Riley, the vessel was listed in the 1856 Globe list as a participant in the coastal trade, particularly in the transportation of wood and stone. The Clipper served the bustling trade routes along Lake Ontario, facilitating the movement of goods essential to the region’s economy.
FINAL DISPOSITION On October 4, 1860, the Clipper was reported lost on the north shore near Darlington, Ontario, as mentioned in the Kingston Chronicle & Gazette. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. While it is not definitively confirmed that the schooner lost in this event is the same Clipper from the 1856 Globe list, historical records and the suggestion by Lachlan MacRae imply a strong connection between the two vessels. The circumstances leading to the loss of the Clipper remain unspecified, though it survived long enough to be remembered in the newspaper records of the time.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this vessel have been identified.
LOCATED BY & DATE
- Discovery: The wreckage of the Clipper has not been mentioned in any discovery reports.
- Date: The vessel was reported lost on October 4, 1860, according to the Kingston Chronicle & Gazette.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
- Condition: The current condition of the Clipper is unknown as there are no reports of its recovery or subsequent examination.
- Accessibility: Not applicable due to the absence of a confirmed wreck site.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Additional Resources:
- References:
- Information compiled from the Kingston Chronicle & Gazette (October 4, 1860) and the 1856 Globe list, with additional insights from historical research by Lachlan MacRae.
ANALYSIS The loss of the Clipper near Darlington in 1860 highlights the challenges faced by small coastal trading vessels of the time. Although no lives were lost, the incident underscores the perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th century. The possible connection between the Clipper listed in the 1856 Globe list and the vessel lost in 1860 adds a layer of historical intrigue, though without definitive evidence, this connection remains speculative.
KEYWORDS: Clipper schooner, 1855, Darlington, Lake Ontario, Kingston Chronicle & Gazette, maritime history, coastal trade, shipwreck
