IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
SITE DESCRIPTION
The schooner Elizabeth, carrying a cargo of pig iron, tragically sank on Lake Ontario between False Duck Island and Nine Mile Point. The wreck now rests in approximately 96 feet (29 meters) of water, a depth accessible to advanced divers. The vessel was bound from Kingston to Hamilton when it began to take on water and eventually succumbed to the leak. The exact location of the wreck is not detailed in the historical account, but it lies within the vicinity of the described coordinates.
HISTORY
The schooner Elizabeth, known at different times as the Simcoe and Onondaga, was a working vessel operating on Lake Ontario. On the night of June 29, the Elizabeth encountered a serious leak while transporting pig iron from Kingston to Hamilton. The vessel sank rapidly, leaving the captain and crew with little time to react. Fortunately, they were able to escape in a small boat, saving themselves from the disaster. The total property loss from the sinking was estimated at $5,000—a significant amount for the time.
The ship’s history prior to the incident is marked by its service as a cargo vessel on Lake Ontario. Like many schooners of its era, the Elizabeth was integral to the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes, serving various owners and purposes throughout its life.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The Elizabeth now lies on the bottom of Lake Ontario, approximately 96 feet underwater. The wreck is believed to be relatively intact, with the cargo of pig iron still likely present within the holds. The vessel’s final resting place is a reminder of the hazards faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the 19th century when storms and structural failures were common causes of shipwrecks.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no specific Notices to Mariners related to the wreck of the Elizabeth, but divers should be aware of the potential hazards when exploring wrecks at this depth, including the risks of entanglement, reduced visibility, and cold water conditions.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The exact date of discovery of the wreck is not specified in the historical account. However, the incident has been documented by maritime historian C.H.J. Snider, who chronicled the fates of many Great Lakes vessels. The wreck has likely been explored by divers and researchers interested in the region’s rich maritime history.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The wreck of the Elizabeth lies at a depth that makes it accessible to advanced divers, particularly those equipped for cold water diving. The presence of pig iron as cargo may have helped preserve parts of the hull and other structures, though the overall condition of the wreck remains to be fully documented. The site offers an intriguing opportunity to explore a piece of 19th-century maritime history.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Elizabeth: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite Database – Elizabeth/Simcoe/Onondaga: Wrecksite Database
- C.H.J. Snider’s Historical Accounts: C.H.J. Snider Archive
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
KEYWORDS
- Elizabeth, Simcoe, Onondaga, Schooner, Lake Ontario, False Duck, Nine Mile Point, Pig Iron Cargo, Shipwreck, Maritime History.
ANALYSIS The sinking of the schooner Elizabeth highlights the perils of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, where even routine voyages could end in disaster. The successful escape of the crew in a small boat is a testament to their quick thinking and seamanship, but the loss of the vessel and its cargo underscores the financial risks faced by shipowners and merchants during this period. The wreck site offers a valuable opportunity for divers and historians to explore and document a piece of this maritime history, contributing to our understanding of the challenges faced by those who plied the waters of Lake Ontario.
