Site Identification & Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The PRIMROSE was a wooden-hulled schooner originally constructed in 1844 in Athol, Ontario, Canada. Measuring 51 feet in length, with a beam of 14.6 feet and a depth of 5.4 feet, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 47 and a net tonnage of 29. The schooner was equipped with two masts and was primarily used for cargo transport on Lake Ontario. It was registered in Picton, Ontario, and owned by John Stanton and others from Athol.
History #
The PRIMROSE had a relatively short operational history, as it was constructed and met its tragic end in the same year, 1844. The vessel had been rebuilt in Oswego, New York, indicating that it may have undergone significant modifications or repairs during its brief existence.
On a fateful day in November 1844, the PRIMROSE encountered severe weather conditions while navigating the waters off Point Petre, Lake Ontario. The exact circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but the result was devastating: the schooner sank, and all hands on board perished.
The victims of this tragedy were identified as Henry Stanton (the master), William Burlingham, John Trumpour, and James Bailey. James Bailey was particularly notable as he had only been in Canada for two and a half years, having emigrated from Ballywalter in the County of Down, Ireland. The sinking of the PRIMROSE was reported in the Picton Sun on November 7, 1844, and subsequently mentioned in The News, a Kingston-based publication.
In the days following the sinking, pieces of a vessel believed to be from the PRIMROSE were discovered washed up on the beach at Wellington, further confirming the tragic loss of the ship and its crew.
Final Disposition #
The wreck of the PRIMROSE lies somewhere off Point Petre, Lake Ontario. Due to the vessel’s age and the lack of precise coordinates, the exact location of the wreck remains unknown. The loss of the PRIMROSE and its crew serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
Current Condition & Accessibility #
There is no detailed information available regarding the current condition of the wreck. Given the passage of time since the vessel’s sinking, it is likely that any remaining structures have significantly deteriorated, if they remain at all. The site, if located, would likely be of interest primarily to historians and archaeologists rather than recreational divers.
Resources & Links #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Extensive information on shipwrecks, including the PRIMROSE.
- Wikipedia – Great Lakes Ships – General information on Great Lakes shipwrecks.
- Great Lakes Wrecks Database – A database with records of various wrecks in the Great Lakes.
Tags #
- Type: Schooner
- Location: Lake Ontario, Point Petre
- Depth: Unknown
- Year Built: 1844
- Year Sunk: 1844
- Purpose: Cargo transport
- Construction: Wooden, two-masted
Analysis #
The sinking of the PRIMROSE is a tragic example of the dangers faced by early sailors on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s short-lived career, ending in a devastating loss, highlights the challenges of maritime navigation in the 19th century, particularly on a body of water as unpredictable as Lake Ontario. The fact that the vessel was lost so soon after its construction suggests that it may have encountered severe weather or structural weaknesses that led to its sinking. The loss of all hands aboard, including a recent immigrant from Ireland, adds a personal dimension to this maritime disaster, reminding us of the human cost of such events. The discovery of wreckage on Wellington’s shores further underscores the severity of the incident. The PRIMROSE‘s story remains a somber chapter in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
