IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
|
|
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Beaver was a wooden schooner built in 1848 in Kingston, Ontario. Schooners like the Beaver were integral to the maritime trade on the Great Lakes, transporting goods across the region. The vessel featured two masts and a single deck, with a tonnage of 200 according to the old measurement system. The schooner was involved in various trade activities throughout its operational life, making numerous voyages across Lake Ontario.
HISTORY #
The Beaver, originally known as the Baltic, was renamed in 1857 and continued its service on Lake Ontario. The schooner played a vital role in the regional trade, navigating the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. However, the Beaver met a tragic end in 1861 during a snowstorm on Lake Ontario.
The schooner, reportedly traveling light without any cargo, was en route to Canada when it was caught in the storm. The vessel stranded on Nine Mile Point, near its intended destination, and was ultimately declared a total loss. The treacherous weather conditions and the vessel’s unfortunate location contributed to its demise.
Details about casualties or survivors from the wreck are not available in the historical records, leaving some aspects of the tragedy shrouded in mystery. However, the event was reported in several newspapers, including the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser and an Oswego newspaper, both of which chronicled the incident in their casualty lists.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Beaver was declared a total loss after stranding on Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario, during a snowstorm in 1861. The schooner was severely damaged and likely broke apart due to the harsh weather and rough waters.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Beaver have not been extensively documented, and no significant portions of the vessel are known to exist today. The site near Nine Mile Point is of historical interest, though the exact condition of any remnants is unknown.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
PUBLIC DOMAIN PICTURES #
- No public domain pictures available.
Beaver, schooner, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Kingston Ontario, Nine Mile Point, 1861 storm, Baltic, maritime history, Great Lakes.
l
