IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The MATHILDA was a wooden, two-masted schooner built sometime before 1839. This type of vessel was common during the early 19th century, used primarily for transporting goods and passengers across the Great Lakes and other inland waterways. The schooner’s construction would have featured a single deck, making it a versatile and sturdy vessel suitable for various sailing purposes.
HISTORY: #
The MATHILDA served as a typical schooner of its time, likely engaged in the bustling trade and transport activities that characterized the Great Lakes during the early 1800s. Although detailed records of the schooner’s voyages and operations are scarce, the vessel’s design and usage suggest it was involved in the transport of cargo or possibly passengers between ports on Lake Ontario.
Tragically, in 1839, the MATHILDA encountered a devastating incident that led to its demise. The schooner ran ashore at Point Traverse, a dangerous area known for its treacherous waters and shifting sandbanks. The circumstances of the grounding are not well-documented, but the incident resulted in the loss of four lives, underscoring the perilous nature of maritime navigation during that era.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The MATHILDA was wrecked in 1839 when it ran ashore at Point Traverse in Lake Ontario. The incident claimed the lives of four individuals, making it a tragic chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipwrecks. The exact details surrounding the schooner’s final moments, including what led to the grounding, remain unclear due to the limited historical records from that time.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the MATHILDA wreck site. Given the age of the wreck and the lack of precise location data, mariners should exercise caution when navigating near Point Traverse, a historically hazardous area.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck of the MATHILDA occurred in 1839, but there are no documented efforts to locate or recover the vessel. The exact location and condition of the wreck remain unknown to modern maritime historians.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: Available through regional archives and historical societies.
KEYWORDS: #
MATHILDA, Wooden Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Point Traverse, 1839 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The MATHILDA is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. The schooner’s grounding at Point Traverse in 1839, resulting in the loss of four lives, highlights the dangers of navigating these waters in the 19th century. The scarcity of detailed records from that time makes the MATHILDA’s story emblematic of the many shipwrecks that occurred in the region but remain largely forgotten.
