Perseverance (1868)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: Perseverance
•Vessel Type: Propeller Steamer
•Date of Wreck: October 6, 1868
•Location: 15 miles off Pultneyville, Lake Ontario
•Cause: Fire onboard
Vessel Type Description:
The Perseverance was a first-class propeller steamer, built in 1864 at St. Catharines by Louis Shickluna. It had a capacity of 750 tons, was 180 feet in length, with a beam of 31 feet, and powered by a 530-horsepower engine. The vessel was employed in the grain trade between Port Dalhousie and Oswego, regularly transporting large quantities of corn and other goods.
History:
On October 6, 1868, the Perseverance, under Captain John FitzGibbon, was carrying 20,147 bushels of corn when it caught fire 15 miles off Pultneyville, Lake Ontario. The fire, first discovered by the engineer, quickly spread, engulfing the vessel. Despite efforts to launch lifeboats, 14 of the 19 people on board, including the captain, perished in the flames.
The Enterprise, a sister ship, was 15 miles astern and attempted to assist but was unable to rescue more than five survivors due to the rough sea. The Perseverance burned to the waterline, and the wreck was left adrift. The ship, valued at $40,000, and its cargo were insured.
Final Disposition:
The Perseverance was completely destroyed by fire and sank after burning to the waterline. Most of the crew and passengers perished, with only a few survivors rescued by the Enterprise.
Located By & Date:
The wreck was last seen adrift on October 6, 1868 by the Enterprise, but no recovery efforts were documented.
Notmars & Advisories:
•Obstructions: The wreck burned to the waterline, likely sinking and posing no long-term obstruction.
Current Condition & Accessibility:
The exact location of the Perseverance wreck remains unknown. No detailed records of modern-day exploration or recovery efforts have been made.
Resources & Links:
•Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, October 8 & 10, 1868.
•Chicago Tribune, October 8, 1868.
•Goderich Signal, October 15, 1868.
•Statement of Wreck & Casualty, Dept. of Marine & Fisheries, 1870.
Keywords:
Perseverance, Propeller Steamer, Lake Ontario, Pultneyville, 1868, Fire, Shipwreck, Maritime History
