BANSHEE

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #

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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The BANSHEE was a sidewheeler propeller vessel, primarily used for transporting freight between Montreal and Port Stanley. Built for versatility and endurance, the vessel was integral to the shipping lanes across Lake Ontario, carrying various cargoes such as flour, wheat, and butter.

HISTORY: #

The BANSHEE had a notable history of service before meeting its tragic fate. The vessel operated as a freight boat, regularly transporting goods between Montreal and Port Stanley. The propeller BANSHEE, owned by Mr. Robe of St. Thomas, Ontario, and later by Captain Howard of the steamer MAGNET and Mr. Chas. Rose of St. Thomas, was a vital link in the trade routes of the Great Lakes.

On August 21, 1861, during a severe storm on Lake Ontario, the BANSHEE experienced machinery failure, which left the vessel unmanageable. The ship eventually broke apart and sank near Timber Island, approximately one mile off the Point Traverse mainland. The cargo onboard included around 3,000 bushels of wheat, 250 barrels of flour, and 300 kegs of butter.

The sinking of the BANSHEE was a significant event. Although most of the crew survived by escaping in a small boat or clinging to floating wreckage, one passenger, John Nagle, a printer, tragically drowned. The wreck was left in 18 feet of water, but salvage operations recovered parts of the cargo during the winter of 1861-62. Local residents from Babylon to Cape Versey salvaged what they could from the sunken vessel.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The BANSHEE was left in 18 feet of water following its sinking near Timber Island in 1861. The wreck was considered salvageable at the time, and much of its cargo was recovered. The remains of the wooden ship were eventually discovered on October 15, 1967, by Mr. Dennis Kent and members of the Quinte Aqua Divers. The wreck was located in approximately 24 feet of water on the Timber Island Bar. After the initial discovery, the wreck was lost during the winter but was successfully rediscovered and pinpointed by the divers on July 30, 1968.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the BANSHEE wreck site. However, as with all shipwreck sites, mariners should navigate with caution, especially near Timber Island Bar.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The wreck of the BANSHEE was discovered on October 15, 1967, by the Quinte Aqua Divers, led by Mr. Dennis Kent. The wreck was relocated after being lost during the winter of 1967-68.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Great Lakes Ships
• Q.A.D. Newsletter (1969): Archival information available through local maritime history societies.

KEYWORDS: #

BANSHEE, Sidewheeler, Propeller Ship, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Timber Island Bar, 1861 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History, Quinte Aqua Divers.

ANALYSIS: #

The BANSHEE was a testament to the bustling maritime activity on Lake Ontario during the mid-19th century. Its sinking during a severe storm highlights the perilous conditions faced by ships and their crews on the Great Lakes. The subsequent discovery of the wreck in 1967 underscores the enduring interest in and importance of preserving Great Lakes shipwrecks, which serve as underwater time capsules of maritime history.