BELVIDERE (1847)

3 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Header 1	Header 2

	Name: Belvidere Year Built: 1847 Builder: Oakville, Ontario Owner: Captain Burnside Tonnage: 60 tons Location of Loss: Off the coast of Oakville, Lake Ontario

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

Type: Schooner
Purpose: The Belvidere was a wooden schooner with a tonnage of 60 tons, built for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. At the time of its loss, it was carrying a load of wood, indicative of its role in the regional trade of essential goods like lumber, which was crucial for construction and heating in the 19th century.

HISTORY The Belvidere was constructed in 1847 in Oakville, Ontario, and had a listed value of $1,000. Owned and captained by Burnside, the vessel served the maritime trade routes of Lake Ontario for nearly a decade. On the night of December 14, 1856, while en route to Oakville with a cargo of wood, the Belvidere encountered a severe gale. The storm proved too powerful, and the schooner capsized off the coast of Oakville. Tragically, all lives on board were lost, including the captain and four crew members. Despite efforts to recover the bodies, none were found by the time the disaster was reported.

FINAL DISPOSITION The Belvidere met its end during a violent storm on Lake Ontario. The loss of the vessel, along with its entire crew, was a devastating blow to the local maritime community. The exact location of the wreck remains unknown, and the schooner was not included in the list of Canadian vessels for the year following its sinking. The incident was widely reported, underscoring the inherent dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the period.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this vessel have been identified.

LOCATED BY & DATE

Discovery: The wreckage of the Belvidere has not been recovered or identified.
Date: The vessel capsized on the night of December 14, 1856.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Condition: The current condition of the Belvidere remains unknown, as the wreckage has not been located.
Accessibility: Not applicable due to the absence of a confirmed wreck site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Additional Resources:
References:
- Information compiled from the Toronto Globe (December 16, 1856), Buffalo Daily Republic (December 19, 1856), and other historical sources related to Great Lakes maritime history.

ANALYSIS The sinking of the Belvidere serves as a poignant reminder of the severe challenges and dangers faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. The gale that led to the schooner’s demise was likely a common but deadly occurrence during the winter months, when weather conditions could rapidly deteriorate. The complete loss of life and the inability to recover the bodies highlight the perilous nature of maritime travel and trade during this era.

KEYWORDS: Belvidere schooner, 1856, Oakville, Lake Ontario, maritime disaster, Great Lakes, shipwreck, wood cargo, gale, Captain Burnside