M.O. GORMAN

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Name: Mary O’Gorman Type: Wooden Schooner Location: Last known location near Portsmouth, Ontario, in Lake Ontario; final destruction in Kingston Harbor Coordinates: Specific coordinates are not available. Depth: The vessel was destroyed in Kingston Harbor, likely in shallow water.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:

The Mary O’Gorman was a wooden schooner built in 1867 in Barriefield, Kingston, Ontario, by shipbuilder William LaChappelle. The vessel measured 107 tons in tonnage and was carvel-built with a square stern, standing bowsprit, and rigged as a schooner with two masts. The Mary O’Gorman was designed for cargo transport across Lake Ontario, typical of the schooners used during the 19th century. These vessels were vital for the trade of bulk goods like barley, coal, and lumber, connecting ports across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY: #

The Mary O’Gorman was launched in 1867 and initially owned by Michael O. Gorman and William LaChappelle. Over the years, the vessel saw multiple ownership changes, reflecting its active service in the Great Lakes maritime trade. In 1868, it was sold to John Fraser and Frederick J. George of Kingston, and a year later, it was acquired by John Savage of Kingston. After encountering difficulties, the vessel was sold to John Yott of Wolfe Island in 1870.

In the fall of 1871, the Mary O’Gorman ran aground near Oak Orchard on Lake Ontario, necessitating repairs completed in May 1872. The schooner changed ownership again in 1882, with Annie B. Malone, G.F. Cleveland, and F. Elliot becoming the new owners. Despite these changes, the vessel continued its operations until its tragic end.

On a fateful day in September 1883, the Mary O’Gorman collided with a barge near Portsmouth, Ontario, causing the schooner to sink. Although the cargo was recovered, the vessel itself was lost. The final blow came on January 22, 1884, when the Mary O’Gorman was completely destroyed by fire while docked in Kingston Harbor. Following this incident, the ship’s registration was closed, marking the end of its maritime journey.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The Mary O’Gorman met its final end in Kingston Harbor, where it was destroyed by fire in January 1884. Prior to this, the vessel had been involved in a collision and sank near Portsmouth, Ontario. While the wreck itself was lost to the fire, the history of the vessel reflects the challenges faced by schooners on the Great Lakes, from collisions and groundings to the final, devastating blaze.

The Mary O’Gorman was an important part of Kingston’s maritime history, serving the region for nearly two decades before its untimely demise. The cargo aboard during its final voyages, including 7,000 to 8,000 bushels of barley, was typical of the goods transported by schooners like the Mary O’Gorman across the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

Due to the vessel’s destruction in 1884 and the lack of a specific wreck site, there are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or local advisories associated with the Mary O’Gorman. However, the history of the vessel is significant for maritime researchers and historians studying the schooners of Lake Ontario.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

The Mary O’Gorman is a notable example of the schooners that once dominated the Great Lakes, contributing to the economic and social fabric of the region. Its story, from construction to its final destruction, highlights the risks and realities of maritime life in the 19th century.