W.J. SUFFEL C71247/71274

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Name: W.J. Suffel Type: Wooden Schooner Official Number: 71247 (initial registration), 71274 (re-registration) Location: Initially registered in Port Burwell, Ontario; re-registered in Port Hope, Ontario Registration Closed: April 6, 1906, in Kingston, Ontario

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The W.J. Suffel was a wooden schooner built in 1874 by Lemuel McDermand in Port Burwell, Ontario. The vessel measured 120 feet (36.58 meters) in length, 26 feet (7.92 meters) in beam, and 9.8 feet (2.99 meters) in depth, with a gross and net tonnage of 238 tons. The W.J. Suffel had a carvel-built hull, a square stern, and was rigged as a two-masted schooner. The ship was designed for cargo transport, typical of the schooners that sailed the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

HISTORY: #

The W.J. Suffel was initially registered in Port Burwell, Ontario, on September 1, 1874. The vessel played a significant role in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes, transporting goods between ports. In 1885, the schooner was re-registered in Port Hope, Ontario, under a new official number, 71274. Despite the change in registration, the vessel continued to operate on the Great Lakes for several more years.

The final chapter in the W.J. Suffel‘s history came on April 6, 1906, when its registration was officially closed in Kingston, Ontario, following its transfer to another location. The vessel had served for over three decades, reflecting the robust nature of wooden schooners and their importance in the region’s economy.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The final fate of the W.J. Suffel after the closure of its registration in 1906 is not well-documented. Like many schooners of the era, it may have been retired, repurposed, or lost to the elements. The closure of its registration in Kingston marks the end of its recorded service on the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or specific advisories associated with the W.J. Suffel, as the vessel’s service concluded over a century ago. However, its history is of interest to maritime historians and researchers studying the evolution of shipping on the Great Lakes.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

The W.J. Suffel stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of schooners in Great Lakes shipping, reflecting the craftsmanship and maritime tradition of 19th-century Ontario.