T.J. Waffle was built in 1914 in Westport, Ontario, and had an official number of 130767. It was initially owned by T.J. & W.J. Waffle from Smiths Falls. In 1916, ownership transferred to A. Foster, also from Smiths Falls, and later in 1919, it was owned by J. Swift & Co. from Kingston.
On September 22, 1919, the steamer went missing during heavy weather while traveling from Fairhaven, New York, to Kingston, Ontario. Tragically, eight people lost their lives in the incident. The cause of the sinking remained a mystery, as some wreckage washed ashore at Burt Point near Oswego. The wreckage was severely damaged, leading to speculation that the vessel may have exploded its boiler or been violently tossed around by the storm.
Discovery:
After 101 years, on August 22, 2020, Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber made a significant discovery. They believe they found the wreck of the T.J. Waffle over twenty miles off Oswego. The wreck site displayed signs of a violent end, suggesting a violent storm or an explosion might have led to the ship’s demise.
The Victims:
Among the victims were Captain Charles Beaupre, William Switzer, engineer Russel David, and mate William Sweet. Tragically, the wife of mate William Sweet, identified as Mrs. William Sweet, also lost her life in the incident. The names of the other crew members who perished in the sinking are not known.
The finding of the wreck has shed some light on the mysterious disappearance of the T.J. Waffle, offering insights into the vessel’s final moments on Lake Ontario. As with all shipwrecks, the site is now a part of the lake’s maritime history, serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the past.
