Site Identification & Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The Grantham was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1873 at Port Robinson, Ontario, by J. Abbey. Initially serving as a cargo vessel, the Grantham was designed to carry bulk goods such as grain and coal across the Great Lakes. The schooner measured 140 feet in length, 23.7 feet in beam, and 11.7 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 400 tons and a net tonnage of 384 tons. Its capacity was approximately 20,000 bushels, making it a significant vessel for its time in the regional trade network.
History #
The Grantham enjoyed a long career on the Great Lakes, transporting various goods and serving different owners throughout its life. Its early years were marked by routine cargo runs, including transporting corn, lumber, and other materials to and from ports like Kingston, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. In 1879, the vessel underwent modifications that slightly altered its dimensions and tonnage, reflecting its ongoing use and adaptation to the needs of its owners.
Throughout its operational life, the Grantham encountered several incidents typical of Great Lakes vessels, such as running aground and undergoing repairs. For instance, it ran ashore near Nine Mile Point in Kingston in May 1890 and again in May 1896. Despite these challenges, the vessel continued to serve as a reliable means of transport across the lakes.
Final Disposition #
The Grantham met its end on July 6, 1913, while engaged in operations to lighten the stranded Canadian steamer A.E. Ames, which was carrying a cargo of coal at the time. The schooner sank off Salmon River in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, marking the end of its four-decade-long service. At the time of its sinking, the Grantham was owned by the Donnelly Wrecking Company, highlighting its role in salvage operations during its final days.
Current Condition & Accessibility #
The wreck of the Grantham remains a significant, though not widely explored, site in the Bay of Quinte. Given its historical role and the circumstances of its sinking, the wreck might offer interesting insights for divers and historians alike. However, the precise condition and accessibility of the wreck today are not well-documented, and it may lie in relatively shallow water given the nature of its final operation.
Resources & Links #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive source for shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes region.
- Great Lakes Ships Database: A valuable database cataloging ships and shipwrecks across the Great Lakes.
Tags #
- Type: Schooner
- Location: Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario
- Depth: Shallow
- Year Built: 1873
- Year Sunk: 1913
- Purpose: Cargo transport, Salvage operations
- Construction: Wooden, three-masted
Analysis #
The Grantham is a fascinating example of a schooner that not only served its intended purpose of transporting goods but also adapted over its lifetime to meet the changing demands of its owners. Its involvement in salvage operations later in its life reflects the economic realities of the time, where aging vessels were repurposed to extend their utility. The Grantham‘s final act of aiding another vessel in distress before its own demise adds a layer of poignancy to its story. The fact that it was lightening the load of a stranded steamer when it sank speaks to the dangers and unpredictability of maritime operations in the early 20th century, even in the relatively sheltered waters of the Great Lakes. This wreck, though not extensively explored, could provide valuable insights into the shipbuilding practices of the time and the operational history of cargo schooners on the Great Lakes.
