JACQUES CARTIER

1 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: Jacques Cartier
Type: Schooner
Owner: Gooderham & Worts, Toronto
Construction: Wooden hull; two masts
Dimensions: Not available
Propulsion: Wind-powered (sails)
Cargo: 1,900 barrels of flour
Location: Near Colborne, Ontario, Lake Ontario
Coordinates: Not precisely recorded
Depth at Wreck Site: Unknown
Condition: Wrecked and sank during a storm; cargo deemed a total loss
Accessibility: Wreck site not identified; cargo likely dispersed
Site Overview: The Jacques Cartier was a wooden schooner owned by Gooderham & Worts of Toronto. On November 8, 1853, the vessel met its fate in a storm near Colborne, Ontario. The shipwreck resulted in the loss of its cargo but no reported loss of life.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Jacques Cartier was a typical wooden schooner of the mid-19th century, built to carry bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Jacques Cartier were workhorses of their time, often transporting goods such as flour, timber, and other commodities essential to the economy. The vessel was equipped with two masts and relied on wind power for propulsion, making it a vital part of maritime trade on Lake Ontario.

HISTORY
The schooner Jacques Cartier was owned by Gooderham & Worts, a prominent company based in Toronto. The vessel played a critical role in the transportation of goods on Lake Ontario, contributing to the thriving trade and commerce of the region. On November 8, 1853, while en route with a cargo of 1,900 barrels of flour, the Jacques Cartier encountered a violent storm near Colborne, Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION
During the storm, the schooner went ashore and subsequently sank. Despite the severe conditions, the crew managed to save themselves, avoiding any casualties. Unfortunately, the cargo of flour was completely lost, dealing a financial blow to the ship’s owners. The cargo was insured, providing some compensation, but the loss underscored the dangers of lake navigation during that era.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Jacques Cartier, as the vessel was lost in 1853 and its remains have not been identified.

LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the Jacques Cartier has not been located, and given the dispersal of its cargo, it is unlikely that significant remains of the vessel would be found.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The Jacques Cartier likely broke apart in the storm that caused its loss. The site is not accessible for diving, and the cargo was dispersed along the shore, with some barrels of flour reportedly recovered.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Keywords:
Jacques Cartier, schooner, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Colborne Ontario wreck, 1853 storm, Great Lakes maritime history, Gooderham & Worts, lost vessels Ontario, flour cargo loss.