IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Julia was a wooden schooner with a clipper-bowed design, constructed in 1875 by O’Meara in Smith’s Falls, Ontario. The vessel measured 89 feet in length, 19.8 feet in beam, and 7.9 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 115 tons and a net tonnage of 108 tons. The schooner was primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as grain and lumber along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
HISTORY #
The Julia had a storied history marked by several incidents and ownership changes. The vessel was initially registered in 1875 in Kingston, Ontario, under Canada No. 72559. Over the years, it changed hands multiple times, with notable ownership by T. Hartnett and later Timothy Hartnett of Kingston, Ontario. The schooner was involved in grain transport, as evidenced by one of its final voyages carrying 7,500 bushels of barley for Richardson & Sons from Gananoque to Oswego, New York.
On October 25, 1883, the Julia encountered tragedy when it struck the middle pier while attempting to enter the harbor at Oswego, New York. The impact caused the vessel to sink in 45 feet of water, submerging its cargo. The schooner had a value of $4,500 but was insured for $3,500, and the barley cargo was insured at 70 cents per bushel. The incident was widely reported, and experienced mariners criticized the decision to enter the harbor at night, as it was deemed safe only during daylight hours.
The Julia’s troubles didn’t end there. It ran aground in Consecon, Lake Ontario, on November 23, 1884, and later sank during a storm near Oswego on November 25, 1887. The schooner ultimately met its end when it burned on Wolfe Island, Lake Ontario, on February 25, 1895.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The final disposition of the Julia was its sinking near Oswego, New York, and later, its destruction by fire on Wolfe Island in 1895. The vessel’s legacy is remembered through its unfortunate series of accidents and its service in the grain trade on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck site near Quebec Head, Wolfe Island, has been identified but not fully documented in terms of its precise discovery date or by whom.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck site of the Julia is in shallow water, about 10 feet deep, making it accessible for diving exploration. However, much of the vessel was destroyed in the fire, so divers will likely encounter scattered remnants of the ship’s hull and possibly some of its cargo.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Kingston Whig-Standard, October 25, 1883
- Port Huron Daily Times, October 26, 1883
KEYWORDS #
Julia, Schooner, Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Great Lakes, Grain Transport, Maritime History, Kingston, Oswego
ANALYSIS #
The Julia’s history is emblematic of the challenges faced by schooners during the late 19th century, particularly those engaged in the grain trade. The vessel’s repeated incidents, including groundings, collisions, and eventual destruction by fire, highlight the perils of navigating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during this period. The sinking near Oswego and subsequent incidents also reflect the importance of proper navigation and the risks of nighttime entries into hazardous harbors. The schooner’s ultimate fate on Wolfe Island serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of these vessels and the harsh conditions they endured.