IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The LADY MOULTON was a wooden schooner built in 1857 in Charlotte, New York. Initially known as the G. J. WHITNEY, the vessel was designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. The schooner had a robust wooden hull, characteristic of mid-19th century shipbuilding, and was equipped with sails as its primary means of propulsion. Throughout its service life, the vessel underwent several ownership changes and was renamed LADY MOULTON when it was registered in Montreal, Quebec, in 1862.
HISTORY: #
The LADY MOULTON (originally G. J. WHITNEY) had a tumultuous operational history marked by several incidents. After being built in 1857, the vessel was reported lost on the east shore of Lake Michigan the same year, though it was later recovered. The schooner changed ownership multiple times, eventually being owned by Alex Keith of Bowmanville by 1878.
One of the most notable events in the vessel’s history occurred in 1869 when it collided with the bark Sir Edmund W. Head while en route to Cobourg from Ogdensburg. On the night of the collision, the LADY MOULTON was traveling light, and thick weather conditions prompted the vessel to alter its course. Despite efforts to avoid a collision, the Sir Edmund W. Head struck the LADY MOULTON, causing severe damage. The crew of the LADY MOULTON was saved, but the vessel was left in a sinking condition and was abandoned.
The schooner continued to face challenges and eventually foundered off Point Peter in Lake Ontario in 1880. The vessel was then under the ownership of Alex Keith and registered in Montreal. The sinking of the LADY MOULTON marked the end of its maritime service, and its registry was officially closed on March 10, 1880.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The LADY MOULTON foundered off Point Peter in Lake Ontario in 1880, marking the final chapter in the vessel’s history. Despite the vessel’s robust construction and multiple recoveries from previous incidents, it could not withstand the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes, leading to its demise. The exact cause of its final sinking is not well-documented, but the schooner’s history reflects the numerous dangers faced by ships navigating these waters in the 19th century.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the LADY MOULTON wreck site. However, as with any historical wreck, mariners and divers should exercise caution when exploring potential sites and consult local advisories.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The exact location and condition of the LADY MOULTON wreck have not been extensively documented, and the site remains largely unknown to modern divers and maritime historians.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: Available through local maritime archives and historical societies.
KEYWORDS: #
LADY MOULTON, G. J. WHITNEY, Wooden Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Point Peter, 1869 Collision, 1880 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The LADY MOULTON is a classic example of the many schooners that faced the perils of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. From its initial launch as the G. J. WHITNEY to its final days as the LADY MOULTON, the vessel’s history is a testament to the resilience and challenges of maritime operations in that era. The ship’s multiple collisions, ownership changes, and eventual foundering reflect the harsh realities of life on the Great Lakes, where weather conditions and navigational hazards often led to tragic outcomes.
