IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
- Type: The B.W. FOLGER, originally built as the CAROLINE, was a wooden schooner designed for transporting cargo such as coal across the Great Lakes. The vessel was known for its sturdy construction, and after its reconstruction in 1871, it continued to serve in commercial shipping on Lake Ontario.
HISTORY The CAROLINE was originally constructed in Prince Edward County in 1854 by a builder named Minikin. In 1871, the schooner underwent a significant reconstruction by Wm. Powers in Kingston, Ontario, at which point it was renamed B.W. FOLGER. The rebuild gave the vessel new dimensions and enhanced its capacity, making it suitable for the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.
The B.W. FOLGER experienced a series of maritime incidents throughout its service life. In September 1871, shortly after its rebuild, the schooner ran aground in Port Colborne, Lake Erie, while carrying coal. Fortunately, the vessel was released without major damage. Ownership transferred to S. Fraser in 1873, and in July 1874, the schooner struck a shoal and stranded near Belleville, Lake Ontario.
After changing ownership again in 1876 to Wm. Dandy of Kingston, the schooner continued its service, but in 1880, it grounded near Main Duck Island while carrying coal. The vessel was eventually freed and returned to service. In 1881, the B.W. FOLGER underwent another rebuild, with ownership under Swift & Dandy of Kingston.
In 1893, the schooner encountered severe weather on Lake Ontario, losing its main gaff topsail and flying jib during a gale. The vessel’s final voyage ended tragically on November 24, 1894, when it burned in the Bay of Quinte, marking the end of its service. The schooner had previously sprung a leak and sunk in the Bay of Quinte in July 1874, causing a significant financial loss.
FINAL DISPOSITION The B.W. FOLGER met its final fate when it burned in the Bay of Quinte on November 24, 1894. The vessel’s eventful history is a testament to the perilous conditions of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite its rebuilds and the efforts to keep it in service, the schooner ultimately succumbed to the harsh realities of life on the lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this vessel have been identified.
LOCATED BY & DATE
- Discovery: The wreck is situated at Kerr Point, Amherst Island, Lake Ontario, in shallow waters. The site is known to local historians and possibly divers who explore the area.
- Date: The vessel was originally built in 1854, rebuilt in 1871, and met its end in 1894.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
- Condition: The wreck lies in shallow water, ranging from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) deep. Given the age of the wreck and the fact that it burned, the remains are likely in a deteriorated state, with some parts of the hull and other structural elements possibly still visible.
- Accessibility: The site is accessible to divers and possibly visible from the surface depending on water clarity. It is an important historical site and should be explored with care and respect for its significance.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Additional Resources:
- References:
- Information compiled from the David Swayze Shipwreck File, the National Board of Lake Underwriters Lake Vessel Register, the British Whig newspaper archives, and other historical records pertaining to Great Lakes shipwrecks.
ANALYSIS The B.W. FOLGER’s history reflects the challenges and hazards of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. The vessel’s multiple groundings, rebuilds, and ultimate destruction by fire illustrate the perilous conditions that schooners and other ships faced. Despite these challenges, the B.W. FOLGER continued to serve for decades, highlighting the resilience and determination of the crews who operated these vessels. The wreck at Kerr Point provides a tangible connection to this era, offering insights into the life and eventual demise of a typical Great Lakes schooner.
KEYWORDS: B.W. FOLGER, CAROLINE, schooner, Lake Ontario, Amherst Island, Kerr Point, shipwreck, maritime history, 19th-century navigation, Great Lakes, Bay of Quinte, Wm. Powers
