IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Jura, originally constructed as the schooner Marion in 1856 on Amherst Island, was a wooden-hulled vessel that later underwent significant modifications in 1865, converting it into a barge and renaming it Jura. This transition reflected the changing needs of maritime transport on the Great Lakes, where older vessels were often repurposed to extend their service life. The Jura was used for transporting bulk cargo such as grain across Lake Ontario.
HISTORY #
The Jura had a brief but eventful history after its conversion from the Marion into a barge. Owned by George W. Chase of Colborne, Ontario, the vessel operated out of St. Catharines, Ontario. On October 24, 1885, while en route from Oswego to Charlotte, the Jura ran aground on Lake Ontario near Gull Island due to navigational errors. The grounding resulted in the total loss of the vessel, with damage estimated at $4,000, a significant sum at the time.
Captain Donnely, who inspected the wrecked vessels, reported that both the Jura and the schooner Hannah Butler were beyond recovery. Despite efforts to salvage the Jura using wrecking apparatus brought by the steamer John A. McDonald, severe gales thwarted the rescue operation. The Jura was heavily battered by the storm, which opened a large hole in the vessel’s bottom. Consequently, approximately 1,200 bushels of grain were lost.
As the weather worsened, the decision was made to abandon the Jura, and all salvageable items, including sails and rigging, were removed. Unfortunately, the amount of grain recovered was insufficient to cover the costs of the wrecking operation. The cargo, owned by Mathews of Toronto, was insured by the Commercial Union.
The wreckage of the Jura was noted in The Globe on November 4, 1885, which described how the vessel briefly managed to jump over a bar on Friday but was driven back and fell apart by the following Saturday. The List of Partial Lake Losses for 1885 recorded the value of the Jura’s lost cargo of barley at $3,000.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Jura was a total loss after the stranding on October 24, 1885. The wreck was left on Gull Island, with significant parts of the vessel lost to the elements and the remainder salvaged for what could be recovered.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No relevant Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently in effect for this wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The Jura was last reported as stranded and subsequently destroyed on Gull Island, Lake Ontario, in October 1885.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Due to the nature of its destruction and the fact that it was heavily salvaged, it is unlikely that much of the Jura remains accessible for diving or exploration. The wreck site might offer limited historical interest, mainly for those intrigued by the vessel’s conversion from a schooner to a barge and its eventual fate.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
- The Globe Archives, November 4, 1885
KEYWORDS #
Jura, Marion, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Lake Ontario, Gull Island, Schooner-Barge
ANALYSIS #
The story of the Jura, formerly the schooner Marion, is emblematic of the challenges faced by vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The decision to rebuild and rename the vessel reflected the economic pressures and demands for cargo transportation in the region. The eventual loss of the Jura due to a navigational error highlights the perils that mariners faced, particularly during the volatile weather conditions of autumn on the Great Lakes. The Jura’s destruction also underscores the difficulties of salvage operations in an era when maritime technology was far less advanced than it is today.
