IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The ZEALAND was a wooden-hulled propeller ship constructed in 1872 by Hyslop & Ronald in Chatham, Ontario. Designed primarily as a freight boat with no cabin accommodation, the vessel was employed to transport goods across the Great Lakes, particularly between Montreal and Toronto. Measuring 136 feet in length and boasting a gross tonnage of 361 tons, the ZEALAND was a significant vessel for its time, powered by a single high-pressure engine that delivered 250 horsepower to a single propeller.
HISTORY: #
The ZEALAND had a relatively short but intense operational life, primarily serving the Chatham & Montreal line. It was well-known for its sturdy construction and reliable service under the command of Captain Edward Zealand, a respected figure in the maritime community of Lake Ontario. Captain Zealand came from a long line of sailors, and his expertise was widely acknowledged among his peers.
Unfortunately, the vessel’s service was cut tragically short in November 1880. While en route from Toronto to Montreal carrying a cargo of wheat and flour, the ZEALAND encountered one of the most severe storms ever recorded on Lake Ontario. The fierce weather conditions overwhelmed the ship, leading to its foundering off Long Point, south of Prince Edward Bay. Despite the valiant efforts of the crew, the ship was lost, taking all hands with it. The crew of approximately 16 individuals included Captain Edward Zealand, who left behind a wife and a large family in Hamilton, as well as several other crew members who were also well-known in their respective communities.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The ZEALAND was lost during a storm in November 1880, and all attempts to recover the vessel were unsuccessful. It was not until 1899 that the shipwreck was discovered by salvagers west of Nicholson Island, Ontario. The wreckage served as a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of life and the perils faced by those who navigated the treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the ZEALAND.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck of the ZEALAND was located by salvagers in 1899 near Nicholson Island in Lake Ontario.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The wreck of the ZEALAND remains largely intact, though it has been affected by the passage of time and the harsh underwater environment. The exact depth of the wreck has not been specified, but it lies within the vicinity of Long Point, south of Prince Edward Bay. The site is accessible to advanced divers, although the precise GPS coordinates have not been disclosed. The wreck serves as an underwater memorial to the lives lost in the disaster.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History Link
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum: Shipwreck Museum
- Lake Ontario Shipwreck Research: Lake Ontario Shipwreck Research
KEYWORDS: #
- ZEALAND Shipwreck
- Lake Ontario Wrecks
- 1880 Shipwreck
- Canadian Maritime History
- Great Lakes Disasters
ANALYSIS: #
The sinking of the ZEALAND stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that faced vessels on Lake Ontario during the 19th century. The tragedy not only claimed the lives of an entire crew but also highlighted the vulnerabilities of wooden-hulled vessels when confronted with the ferocity of nature. The eventual discovery of the wreck in 1899 brought some closure to the mystery surrounding the vessel’s fate, but the loss remains a somber chapter in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
