Other Names #
- J. COLEMAN
Site Description #
- Schooner
- Ashored
- Popular Point, Lake Ontario
- 43.917,-77.521
History #
The Toronto Globe reported on November 9, 1864, that the schooner James Coleman had gone ashore at Poplar Point on Lake Ontario, indicating that the situation may be serious. Two days later, on November 11, the same newspaper reported that the James Coleman had been totally lost at Poplar Point, signifying a tragic outcome for the vessel.
According to the Register of British Shipping for Inland Waters in 1854, the James Coleman was a topsail schooner weighing 232 tons. It was built in Dundas in 1847 and owned by Norris & Co., registered at the port of St. Catharines. The vessel was valued at £1,500 and classified as A1, with J. Norris listed as the present master. The remarks in the register described the James Coleman as “well built,” highlighting its sturdy construction.
In the Register of the Ships of the Lakes and River St. Lawrence for 1864, the James Coleman is listed as a Canadian schooner weighing 294 tons, also built in Dundas in 1847 by Lummerce. The remarks indicated that the vessel was stranded at the time of the register’s publication.
It is worth noting that the James Coleman had previously encountered an incident on November 4, 1863, when it went ashore on Nicholson’s Island. However, it was successfully refloated and sold to Mr. McGuire in July 1864. This information explains the “stranded at present” remark in the 1864 register.
Looking at the milestones of the James Coleman, it was launched in Dundas, Ontario, on March 24, 1846. It was then registered in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1847 and operated in the St. Lawrence River. The ownership changed over the years, with M.W. Browne of Hamilton owning it in 1851 and Norris & Co. of St. Catharines taking ownership in 1854. In 1860, it came under the ownership of Norris & Neelon, also based in St. Catharines, with its tonnage increased to 294 tons. The vessel experienced several incidents, including running aground on Gull Island Reef in October 1858, but was eventually released. Tragically, on November 1, 1864, the James Coleman stranded on Poplar Point, owned by Mr. McGuire, marking the end of its journey.
