MAGGIE L C96902

Maggie L., a sailing ship registered in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, has a notable history within the maritime industry. It was built in Picton, Ontario, in 1889 and was primarily used for hauling coal. The vessel had a length of 67.00 feet, a beam of 17.40 feet, and a depth of 5.20 feet. With a gross tonnage of 49.20 and a net tonnage of 42.13, it had a single deck and a square stern.

Constructed as a carvel-type vessel with a wooden frame, the Maggie L. featured two masts and a schooner rigging, making it suitable for sailing purposes. However, as advancements in transportation technology continued to emerge, the sailing ship’s relevance diminished. By 1929, the Maggie L. had been in service for over four decades.

Tragically, on November 1, 1929, the Maggie L. met its demise in a collision with the freighter Keystone in the vicinity of Clayton, New York, USA. The collision caused significant damage to the sailing ship, resulting in the shearing off of 14 feet of its bow. Subsequently, the Maggie L. sank in the St. Lawrence River. Prior to the collision, the vessel was en route from Bath, Ontario, to Clayton, New York, to collect a load of coal. Additionally, the masts of the Maggie L. were blown off by the Corps of Engineers during the incident.

The fate of the Maggie L. exemplifies the inevitable transition from traditional sailing vessels to more efficient and economical means of transportation on the water. Similar to how the horse had to make way for the automobile on land, sailing ships like the Maggie L. were gradually replaced by motorized vessels that offered greater speed and efficiency. The sinking of the Maggie L. marked a symbolic end to an era of sailing vessels on Lake Ontario, reflecting the broader shift towards modernized methods of maritime transportation

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