YOUNG LEOPARD (1836, Schooner)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: YOUNG LEOPARD
•Year of Build: 1836
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Avon, Ohio
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
•Builder Name: J.B. Hamblin
Power and Masts
•Number of Masts: 2
Hull Dimensions
•Length: 58 feet
•Beam: 18 feet
•Depth: 6 feet
•Tonnage (Old Style): 53 tons
Vessel Type
The Young Leopard was a two-masted wooden schooner, built in 1836 at Avon, Ohio, by J.B. Hamblin. Schooners like the Young Leopard were commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting goods such as coal, lumber, and other cargo. Its relatively small size made it suitable for coastal and regional trade across the lakes.
History
The Young Leopard was actively engaged in trade on the Great Lakes for two decades, primarily operating out of Cleveland and Oswego:
•1836: Enrolled as a new vessel in Cleveland, Ohio, and began its career on the Great Lakes.
•1838-1855: The schooner had nine enrollments out of Oswego, New York, a key port for ships trading on Lake Ontario.
•1850: The vessel was remeasured and listed as 105 tons, indicating it may have undergone modifications or upgrades during its service life.
Final Disposition
On November 22, 1856, the Young Leopard met its end during a storm on Lake Ontario. While riding out the storm anchored near Toronto, the vessel dragged its anchor and was blown onto the Toronto Bar, opposite Queen’s Wharf. The schooner, carrying a cargo of coal and salt, broke up after hitting the bar. The wreck was a total loss, though no casualties were reported.
Located By & Date
There are no records of modern recovery or discovery efforts related to the wreck of the Young Leopard. Its remains likely rest near Toronto’s waterfront, though they may have deteriorated significantly over time.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no known navigation hazards associated with the wreck of the Young Leopard. The area around the Toronto Bar has been heavily developed, and the wreck site is not marked on modern navigational charts.
Resources & Links
For further research and additional context, these resources may be helpful:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The wreck of the Young Leopard serves as an example of the numerous schooners that met their fate due to the unpredictable storms on the Great Lakes, especially as vessels navigated challenging areas like the Toronto Bar.
