IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The JUNO was a propeller-driven vessel, one of the early examples of such ships on the Great Lakes. Built with a square stern and carvel planking, it featured a screw propulsion system with two propellers, a cutting-edge design at the time. The vessel was constructed primarily of wood, which was typical for the era, and had one deck.
HISTORY: #
The JUNO was built in 1842 in Montreal, Quebec, by Duncan Sinclair. It was originally owned by MacPherson, Crane & Co. based in Kingston, Ontario. As one of the first propeller ships on the Great Lakes, JUNO played a pioneering role in advancing the region’s maritime technology. The ship served various owners throughout its operational life, including Robertson et al in Montreal and later, Glassford, Jones & Co.
The ship underwent several rebuilds during its service, with significant reconstructions occurring in 1855 and 1863. The 1863 rebuild expanded its cargo capacity to 11,000 bushels, reflecting its ongoing utility in trade across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The JUNO’s long and storied career came to an end on June 21, 1873, when it sank in Lake Ontario near Bowmanville. The exact circumstances of its final sinking are not widely documented, but its loss marked the end of an era for one of the early propeller-driven ships on the Great Lakes.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The wreck of the JUNO lies near Bowmanville in Lake Ontario. It is considered a significant historical site due to its pioneering role in the use of propeller-driven technology on the Great Lakes. The exact condition of the wreck is not widely reported, but it remains a point of interest for maritime historians and divers.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Bowling Green State University
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
