IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
The schooner W.W. Grant was launched in 1867, a product of the bustling shipyards of Port Burwell, Ontario. Built by David Foster and Elijah McConnell, the vessel was constructed with a wooden hull, reflecting the typical shipbuilding practices of the time. The W.W. Grant was designed as a two-masted schooner with a single deck, measuring 100 feet in length, 21.6 feet in beam, and 7.1 feet in depth. It had a net tonnage of 163 tons, making it well-suited for the transportation of various cargoes across the Great Lakes.
Early Ownership and Incidents #
After its construction, the W.W. Grant was initially owned by its builders, David Foster and Elijah McConnell, who hailed from Port Burwell. The schooner began its service on the Great Lakes, transporting goods between ports in Ontario and the United States. In 1868, ownership transferred to E. McConnell and Elijah Titus, marking the first of many changes in the vessel’s ownership.
By January 20, 1869, the schooner had come under the ownership of George Craig and others in Port Elgin, Ontario. It was during this period that the W.W. Grant began to experience a series of maritime mishaps that would characterize much of its operational history. In October 1870, the vessel ran aground in Port Elgin while carrying 5,000 bushels of barley, a significant cargo for the time. Fortunately, the schooner was refloated and continued its service.
Another notable incident occurred on October 31, 1871, when the W.W. Grant stranded on Chantry Island in Lake Huron while en route from Port Elgin to Oswego, New York. Despite the challenges, the vessel was again salvaged and returned to service, demonstrating its resilience.
Ownership Changes and Further Challenges #
The W.W. Grant saw another shift in ownership on December 28, 1871, when David Foster and W. McBooney acquired the vessel. Less than a year later, in August 1872, the schooner was owned by A. McDermond (or Diamond) from Napanee, Ontario, and Alfred Eccles from Wolf Island, Ontario. During this time, the W.W. Grant ran aground on the east shore of Lake Michigan, adding to its list of maritime trials.
On February 25, 1875, ownership of the vessel shifted to A.M. Diamond, Eccles, and Simpson. Despite the schooner’s troubled history, it continued to operate on the Great Lakes, facing further difficulties such as running aground in Oswego, New York, on October 3, 1878.
The W.W. Grant’s ownership continued to change hands frequently. On March 12, 1879, McDiamond, Hicks, and Simpson became the new owners. A year later, on May 4, 1880, ownership transferred to McDiamond and Hicks. The final recorded change of ownership occurred on April 23, 1881, when T.S. Burley and others from Ernestown, Ontario, took possession of the schooner.
The Final Voyage and Sinking #
The W.W. Grant’s long and eventful service on the Great Lakes came to a tragic end in June 1885. The schooner sank in Lake Ontario, although the specific circumstances surrounding the sinking are not well-documented. The loss of the W.W. Grant marked the conclusion of nearly two decades of service, during which the vessel had weathered numerous challenges, from groundings to ownership changes.
Legacy of the W.W. Grant #
The W.W. Grant’s history is emblematic of the life of a Great Lakes schooner in the 19th century, characterized by frequent ownership changes, operational challenges, and the ever-present risks of navigating the lakes. Despite the many incidents it endured, the schooner continued to serve its owners faithfully until its final sinking in 1885.
Today, the W.W. Grant is remembered as part of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, a vessel that played a role in the region’s commerce and transportation during a period of rapid growth and development. Its legacy, like that of many other schooners of its time, is a testament to the resilience of the ships and sailors who navigated the often unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes.
Sources #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: A resource offering historical records and details on shipwrecks and vessels that operated on the Great Lakes.
- Great Lakes Ships Website: Provides information on the vessels that served the Great Lakes, including ownership records and incident reports.
