IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
- Vessel Name: Mary O’Gorman (also referred to as Mary Gormally)
- Year Built: Not specified
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Final Resting Place: Young’s Cove, Picton, Ontario, Lake Ontario
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Mary O’Gorman was a small wooden schooner, typical of the numerous workhorse vessels that plied the waters of Lake Ontario during the 19th century. Schooners like the Mary O’Gorman were primarily used for transporting various cargoes, including timber, grain, and other goods vital to the growing communities around the Great Lakes. These vessels were designed to be sturdy and functional, capable of navigating the often unpredictable and shallow waters of the lake.
HISTORY #
The Mary O’Gorman served as one of many small schooners operating on Lake Ontario, contributing to the vital maritime trade network that supported the economy of the region. While specific details about the vessel’s construction, ownership, and operational history are not well-documented, it is known to have been part of the busy commercial traffic that characterized the Great Lakes during this period.
The ship’s final years saw it abandoned or wrecked in Young’s Cove, near Picton, Ontario. Over time, as water levels fluctuated, the remnants of the Mary O’Gorman became submerged and were largely forgotten until low water levels revealed the wreck’s outline.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Mary O’Gorman met its end in the waters of Young’s Cove, Picton, Ontario. The exact circumstances of its sinking or abandonment are not recorded, but like many small schooners of the time, it likely succumbed to a combination of old age, weather, and the harsh conditions of lake navigation. The wreckage, partially submerged in the mud of the cove, remains as a testament to the vessel’s long-forgotten service.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreckage of the Mary O’Gorman was uncovered during a period of low water levels at Young’s Cove, Picton, Ontario. The specific date of discovery is not noted but is associated with the same period that uncovered the wreck of the Olivia nearby.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the wreck of the Mary O’Gorman.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
CONCLUSION #
The Mary O’Gorman is one of the many small schooners that played a crucial role in the development of commerce on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Although now lying in relative obscurity, its wreckage provides valuable insight into the history of maritime trade in the region and the types of vessels that were instrumental in the economic growth of Ontario’s lakeside communities.
Keywords: Mary O’Gorman, Mary Gormally, schooner, Lake Ontario, shipwreck, maritime history, Picton.
