Identification and Site Information #
History #
The Emperor, an American schooner originally known as the Leopard, encountered a significant mishap on November 2nd (year not specified, but likely close to the early 1870s). The vessel was transporting a cargo of lumber from Port Hope to Oswego when it ran into trouble near Presqu’Isle, Lake Ontario. According to reports from the Daily British Whig in Kingston, the vessel’s anchor cables parted, causing it to drift and ultimately strand at the Outer Range Lights.
The Emperor, identified by U.S. number 8500, had a tonnage of 185.17 tons and hailed from Oswego. The Department of Marine and Fisheries’ Statement of Wreck & Casualty for 1870 confirms the vessel’s unfortunate end as wrecked.
Historically, the Emperor began its life as the Leopard, a schooner built in Port Dover in 1853. Initially owned by Bostwick & Co. and with a home port in Port Stanley, the Leopard was classified as Class B and valued at $4,000. Records indicate that significant repairs were made to the vessel in 1862. The Register of British Shipping for Inland Waters in 1854 further identifies the Leopard as a scow schooner of 120 tons, constructed in Port Rowan and owned by Killmaster & Co., with a value of £1,200.
At some point, the Leopard was renamed the Emperor, marking a new chapter in its maritime career. However, the vessel’s final chapter concluded with its wrecking near Presqu’Isle, as documented in the List of U.S. Merchant Vessels for 1871.
Final Disposition #
The Emperor was ultimately wrecked near Presqu’Isle, marking the end of its service. The vessel’s final moments, as recorded in various marine casualty lists, highlight the dangers of Great Lakes navigation, especially during the unpredictable weather conditions common in the region.
Resources & Links #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – An extensive resource on shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes region.
- List of U.S. Merchant Vessels – A source for information on merchant vessels, including the Emperor‘s final listing.
- Daily British Whig Archives – Historical archives of the Kingston newspaper that reported on the Emperor‘s wreck.
Tags #
- Type: Schooner
- Location: Lake Ontario, Presqu’Isle
- Year Built: 1853 (as Leopard)
- Year Wrecked: 1870s
- Previous Names: Leopard
- Purpose: Lumber Transport
- Construction: Wooden hull, Scow Schooner
Analysis #
The Emperor‘s story is emblematic of the maritime challenges faced during the 19th century on the Great Lakes. Originally built as the Leopard, the schooner served multiple roles and underwent significant modifications, including a name change. The vessel’s ultimate demise near Presqu’Isle underscores the vulnerability of such ships to natural elements, particularly when mechanical failures, such as parted anchor cables, occur. The Emperor‘s journey from construction to wreck serves as a testament to the era’s maritime risks and the resilience required by those who navigated these waters
