OLIVER MOWAT C92584

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION 

The Oliver Mowat was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1873 in Bath, Ontario, and launched at Millhaven for the Fraser & George hardware firm based in Kingston. It was specifically designed for the grain trade between Kingston and Chicago, making it a vital link in the Great Lakes shipping routes. The ship was constructed using high-quality timber sourced from Amherst Island and the Bath area, showcasing the robust maritime engineering standards of the late 19th century. The schooner served these trade routes for nearly fifty years, becoming a prominent and reliable vessel on Lake Ontario.

HISTORY:

The Oliver Mowat had a distinguished career on Lake Ontario, recognized for its solid build and reliability. However, its service came to a tragic end on September 1, 1921. After departing from Picton harbor, the schooner was bound for Oswego, New York, to load a cargo of coal. That evening, shortly before 11 p.m., the Oliver Mowat was struck by the steam barge Key West near Main Duck Island. Despite clear weather, the schooner’s crew had no chance to avoid the collision.

The impact was catastrophic, tearing through the vessel’s midsection. The Oliver Mowat sank rapidly, taking with it three crew members: Captain Thomas Lake Van Dusen, Mate Jacob Corby, and the ship’s cook, Miss Carrie McGuigan. Despite efforts to rescue Miss McGuigan, who was trapped below deck, Captain Van Dusen and Mate Corby remained aboard the sinking ship in an attempt to save her, leading to their deaths. Two crew members, John Minaker and George Keegan, were rescued by the Key West.

After the sinking, the masts of the Oliver Mowat protruded above the waterline, posing a significant hazard to navigation. To eliminate this danger, a diver from the Canadian lighthouse tender Grenville dynamited the masts from the submerged hull.

An inquiry by the Dominion Wreck Commissioners in Montreal praised the bravery of Captain Van Dusen and Mate Corby, who chose to stay aboard the sinking vessel in a heroic attempt to save their crewmate.

FINAL DISPOSITION:

The Oliver Mowat sank near Main Duck Island after the collision with the steam barge Key West. The ship’s masts were dynamited to prevent them from becoming navigational hazards. The wreck now lies on the lakebed, serving as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the early 20th century.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the Oliver Mowat wreck site. Mariners navigating near Main Duck Island should be mindful of the general risks posed by historical wrecks in the area.

LOCATED BY & DATE:

The wreck site has been known since the sinking occurred in 1921. The exact GPS coordinates have not been fully documented in recent literature, though the wreck is acknowledged to be near Main Duck Island in Lake Ontario.

Photo Gallery #

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YouTube Video Corey Phillips CC