DELAWARE C83152

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Vessel Name: DAVID ANDREWS (later renamed DELAWARE) Type of Wreck: Schooner Location: Cardinal, St. Lawrence River Coordinates: N43 13 1819 W079 15 5319 Depth: 20 feet (8 meters)

SITE DESCRIPTION: #

The wreck of the DAVID ANDREWS, which was later renamed the DELAWARE, lies submerged in the St. Lawrence River near Cardinal, Ontario, at a relatively shallow depth of 20 feet. This site is accessible to divers and offers a glimpse into the maritime history of the region, particularly the fate of wooden schooners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

VESSEL DESCRIPTION: #

The DAVID ANDREWS was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1872 by John Tait in South Bay. The vessel, later renamed the DELAWARE in 1880, had the following dimensions:

Length: 105 feet
Beam: 22 feet
Depth: 8 feet
Gross Tonnage: 152 tons

The schooner featured a carvel type of construction, round stern, and was rigged with a schooner sail configuration. It had a single deck and was originally classified as Class A 2 1/2 in the Inland Lloyds Vessel Register of 1882.

HISTORY & FINAL INCIDENT: #

The DAVID ANDREWS, later the DELAWARE, had a tumultuous history marked by multiple incidents:

Construction and Early Years (1872-1880): Built by John Tait and originally named the DAVID ANDREWS, the vessel was valued at $5,000. It was used primarily for transporting goods across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
Renaming and Rebuilding (1880): In 1880, the schooner was rebuilt and renamed DELAWARE. The vessel continued to operate out of Picton, Ontario, but faced difficulties in navigating the challenging waters of the St. Lawrence River.
Casualties and Sinking (1887-1901): On November 25, 1887, the DELAWARE went ashore on Lake Ontario and was declared a total loss with a property value of $4,500. Despite this setback, the vessel was refloated and returned to service. However, in 1901, the DELAWARE sank in the St. Lawrence River near Cardinal, Ontario, likely due to a combination of swift currents and structural failure. The vessel was subsequently abandoned, and its registry was officially closed on August 20, 1904.
Final Resting Place: The DELAWARE now rests at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River, where it has become a site of historical interest for divers and maritime enthusiasts. The wreck, though weathered by time, still offers a unique opportunity to explore the remains of a 19th-century schooner.

DIVE SITE EXPERIENCE: #

Diving the wreck of the DELAWARE (formerly DAVID ANDREWS) provides an opportunity to explore a well-preserved example of a wooden schooner from the late 19th century. The relatively shallow depth and accessible location make it a popular site for divers, though visibility can be variable depending on river conditions. The site serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the often treacherous waters of the St. Lawrence River.

ANALYSIS: #

The history of the DAVID ANDREWS/DELAWARE highlights the risks associated with maritime transportation in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region during the late 1800s. The repeated incidents leading up to the vessel’s final sinking underscore the challenges of maintaining wooden ships in the face of natural hazards such as swift currents, strong winds, and treacherous shoals. The wreck’s preservation as a dive site allows for ongoing exploration and study of this important period in Canadian maritime history.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks and maritime events in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed information on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and surrounding waters.