IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Annie Mulvey was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its fore-and-aft rigged sails and typically two or more masts. Schooners were commonly used in the 19th century for transporting goods across the Great Lakes, and the Annie Mulvey was no exception. With a robust design and a significant cargo capacity, this vessel was well-suited for carrying bulk goods like coal, which was a common commodity transported by schooners during that period.
HISTORY #
The Annie Mulvey was built in 1867 in St. Catharines, Ontario, and became an integral part of the bustling trade on the Great Lakes. The vessel was owned by Wm. Hall of Toronto and was involved in the transportation of coal and other goods between various ports.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
On August 3, 1885, the Annie Mulvey was involved in a significant fire while docked at the Esplanade in Toronto, Ontario. The fire broke out while the vessel was loaded with a cargo of coal destined for Rogers & Co. Dock. In an attempt to save the cargo, the schooner was deliberately scuttled, causing it to settle at the dock. Despite these efforts, the Annie Mulvey was declared a total loss due to the extensive damage caused by the fire.
In 1886, tenders were called by Harbor Master Morgan Baldwin for the removal of the sunken vessel. The wreck was eventually removed from the dock area, though the details of the recovery operation remain limited. The vessel’s loss was valued at $6,500, a substantial sum at the time, reflecting the importance and value of the Annie Mulvey.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The Annie Mulvey was removed from its scuttling location in 1886, and thus, no remains are currently available for exploration or diving. The site where the vessel settled after the fire was at Rogers & Co. Dock in Toronto, a location that has since been redeveloped, making any remnants of the ship inaccessible. However, the story of the Annie Mulveyremains a part of Toronto’s maritime history.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Sessional Papers of 1887
- Total Losses on the Lakes report of 1885 (Cleveland Leader, December 7, 1885)
- Canada Shipping Register, 1886
