IDENTIFICATION & VESSEL INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Skylark was a scow schooner, a type of sailing vessel common in the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Scow schooners had flat-bottomed hulls, making them suitable for transporting bulk cargoes like iron ore, lumber, and grain in shallow waters. The Skylark was built by the renowned shipbuilder Lewis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario, a key shipbuilding location on the Welland Canal.
HISTORY & INCIDENTS #
The Skylark had a challenging operational life, facing several significant incidents that highlight the perils of maritime trade during this period.
- June 13, 1877: The Skylark struck a rock, likely due to the treacherous navigation conditions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. To prevent the vessel from sinking in deeper waters, it was beached, but it remained submerged in 11 feet of water. A wrecking tug, the H.A. Calvin, was sent from Kingston with a steam pump to assist the stranded schooner.
- June 14, 1877: The day following the rock-striking incident, it was reported that the Skylark had sunk in Alexandria Bay, St. Lawrence River. The vessel was carrying a load of iron ore from Ogdensburg, New York, to Cleveland, Ohio. This sinking was a significant setback, marking one of the most serious mishaps in the Skylark‘s service history.
- November 2, 1883: The Skylark was in Kingston with a cargo of 3,500 bushels of wheat. The cargo was damaged, but not significantly enough to cause a total loss. The incident was reported by the Buffalo Morning Express, noting that the wheat cargo was insured by the Crosby & Dimmick agency.
- 1878 Ownership: The Skylark was owned by William Hutchinson of Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in 1878, who maintained ownership until at least 1884. This period saw the vessel continuing its operations despite the earlier mishaps.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Skylark eventually went out of existence, with no further records of its operations beyond the mid-1880s. It was likely broken up, a common fate for vessels of that era once they were no longer seaworthy or economically viable to repair. The exact circumstances of the vessel’s final disposition are not well-documented, but its operational history provides insight into the challenges faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the late 19th century.
SIGNIFICANCE #
The Skylark‘s history reflects the harsh realities of maritime operations in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region during the 19th century. The vessel’s repeated encounters with danger, including striking rocks, sinking with valuable cargo, and enduring cargo damage, highlight the constant risks faced by sailors and shipowners of the time. Despite these challenges, the Skylark remains a part of the rich maritime heritage of the region, representing the resilience and determination of those who worked the waters.
LEGACY #
While the Skylark is no longer in existence, its story contributes to the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping history. The incidents involving the Skylark were part of the daily struggles of maritime commerce, where weather, navigation hazards, and the wear and tear of time frequently tested the limits of even the most robust vessels
