(1854)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: Norfolk
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Date of Wreck: November 1854
•Location: Scotch Bonnet Island, Lake Ontario, 12 miles from Wellington
•Cause: Stranding during a gale
Vessel Type Description:
The Norfolk was a newly built schooner of 250 tons, hailing from Port Dover. The vessel had a Class A1* rating and was nearly rigged when it set sail in 1854. Owned by Mr. Wheeler, the schooner was built for transporting bulk cargo, and at the time of the wreck, it was carrying a load of staves for Thomas Waters.
History:
In November 1854, the Norfolk was caught in a violent gale while navigating near Scotch Bonnet Island on Lake Ontario. The storm caused the vessel to run aground on the small island, resulting in the loss of all but one crew member. Reports indicate that the Captain and four crew members tragically perished in the wreck, with only one survivor.
The Captain was killed by a blow to the head from the fore-boom, and one crew member was strangled by a noose from the down-haul during the chaos. The cargo of staves, belonging to Thomas Waters, was not insured, while the vessel itself was insured for $4,000 by the Provincial Insurance Company.
The Norfolk had been valued at $10,000, and the loss of the vessel and cargo resulted in a significant financial blow to its owners. The schooner, being a new ship, was considered a valuable addition to the maritime trade on Lake Ontario, further deepening the impact of the wreck.
Final Disposition:
The Norfolk was declared a total loss after being stranded on Scotch Bonnet Island. The ship broke apart during the gale, with both the vessel and its cargo lost to the waters of Lake Ontario.
Located By & Date:
The wreck occurred in November 1854, and subsequent reports from sources like the Buffalo Democracy and Hamilton Spectator documented the tragedy. No specific salvage or recovery efforts were recorded, and it is presumed that much of the wreckage was scattered or destroyed.
Notmars & Advisories:
•Obstructions: The area near Scotch Bonnet Island has long been considered dangerous for navigation, especially during stormy weather. No specific advisories or notices were issued at the time.
•Advisories: Mariners were advised to be cautious around Scotch Bonnet, known for its hazardous conditions during gales.
Current Condition & Accessibility:
Given the age of the wreck and the likely scattering of debris, the remains of the Norfolk have not been identified in modern times. It is presumed that the wreckage has been lost to time, though any remaining parts could be buried under sediment or scattered across the lakebed.
Resources & Links:
•Buffalo Democracy, February 28, 1855; November 16, 1854
•Hamilton Spectator, November 22, 1854
•Rochester Advertiser, November 24, 1854
•Register of British Shipping, 1854
Norfolk, Schooner, 1854, Lake Ontario, Scotch Bonnet Island, Shipwreck, Captain’s Death, Gale, Shipwreck History
The wreck of the Norfolk highlights the perilous nature of Lake Ontario’s waters, where sudden gales and treacherous conditions led to frequent shipwrecks. The loss of life and cargo in this incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors in the 19th century.
