Identification & Site Infomation #
- Vessel Name: PHOENIX
- Year Built: 1840
- Built at: Unknown
- Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
- Cargo at Time of Sinking: Unknown
- Final Location: Lake Ontario
- Date of Sinking: 1848
- Cause of Sinking: Hit a shoal
Vessel Description #
The PHOENIX was a wooden schooner constructed in 1840, built to transport cargo across the Great Lakes. Schooners were an ideal choice for Great Lakes navigation, owing to their relatively shallow draft and ability to carry large loads of goods. These vessels often faced challenging conditions on the Great Lakes, and the PHOENIX was no exception. #
History #
The PHOENIX sailed for eight years before meeting its end in 1848. Like many schooners of the time, it was employed in the busy trade routes of Lake Ontario, likely carrying bulk goods. In 1848, while navigating the lake, the PHOENIXstruck a shoal. Shoals were a common hazard in the shallow waters of the Great Lakes, especially before accurate charts and modern navigational tools were available. The damage from the impact proved fatal, and the PHOENIX sank, leaving no chance for recovery.
The exact circumstances surrounding the sinking, such as weather conditions and the cargo being carried, are unclear, but the collision with the shoal sealed the vessel’s fate.
Final Disposition #
The PHOENIX sank after hitting a shoal in Lake Ontario in 1848. There are no detailed records of survivors or cargo salvage, indicating the ship and its contents were lost to the lake.
Located By & Date #
There is no record of the PHOENIX wreck being located. Its position remains undetermined on modern navigational charts.
NOTMARs & Advisories #
The wreck of the PHOENIX is not marked by any modern navigational warnings or buoys. However, mariners should be cautious of shoals in Lake Ontario, which have historically caused numerous shipwrecks.
Resources & Links #
Conclusion #
The sinking of the PHOENIX after hitting a shoal in 1848 is a testament to the dangers faced by schooners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Ontario. This wreck is part of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, where shoals and unpredictable weather have claimed many ships over the years. The exact location of the PHOENIX remains unknown, adding to the mysteries lying beneath Lake Ontario’s waters
