IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
- Type: The CHARM was a wooden schooner with a square stern and a single deck. It had two masts and was originally built for regional trade and transport on Lake Ontario. Schooners like the CHARM were essential for moving goods such as grain and other agricultural products between ports in Canada and the United States.
HISTORY The CHARM was built in 1859 by George Thurston in Kingston, Ontario, and initially owned by J. Faulkner (or Falconer) of Kingston. Throughout its operational life, the vessel changed hands multiple times and underwent significant modifications. It was described as a “flat” in 1860 and later as a “scow” in 1863, reflecting its varied uses and possibly modifications over time.
By 1861, ownership had transferred to George Laidlaw of Toronto, Ontario. The vessel continued to serve on Lake Ontario and was rebuilt in 1867 at Port Nelson (Burlington) under A. LeClair. This rebuild increased the vessel’s length and tonnage, making it more suitable for the demands of the time.
In 1872, John T. Graup of Napanee, Ontario, acquired the CHARM, and it continued to operate in the region. However, the vessel met a tragic end on November 5, 1874, when it foundered in a storm while en route from Napanee, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. The storm was severe, and several other vessels were also lost or damaged along the shores of Lake Ontario during the same period. The CHARM was carrying a cargo of barley when it sank near the northwest corner of Amherst Island.
FINAL DISPOSITION The CHARM was lost in a storm on November 5, 1874, near Amherst Island in Lake Ontario. The wreckage remains at the reported site, though its exact condition and the presence of any remaining structure are uncertain.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this vessel have been identified, though the area is noted for its historical wrecks and may be of interest to maritime historians and archaeologists.
LOCATED BY & DATE
- Discovery: The final resting place of the CHARM is known to be in the northwest corner of Amherst Island, Lake Ontario. The exact details of the wreck’s discovery, if located, are not documented.
- Date: The vessel was built in 1859, rebuilt in 1867, and foundered in 1874.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
- Condition: The condition of the CHARM is likely that of a deteriorated wooden wreck. The freshwater environment of Lake Ontario may have helped preserve some structural elements, but the vessel has been submerged for over a century.
- Accessibility: The site is accessible to experienced divers, though care should be taken due to the potential fragility of the wreck and respect for historical preservation. The location is in a relatively shallow area, making it a possible site for archaeological exploration.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Additional Resources:
- References:
- Information compiled from the David Swayze Shipwreck File, historical vessel registries, and records from the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.
ANALYSIS The CHARM’s history reflects the life of a working schooner on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its multiple ownership changes, rebuilds, and final tragic loss highlight the challenges faced by vessels of this era. The CHARM was typical of many schooners that operated on Lake Ontario, serving as a vital link in the transport of goods between Canada and the United States. The wreck near Amherst Island serves as a reminder of the risks that mariners took and the volatile weather conditions that often led to disaster on the Great Lakes.
KEYWORDS: CHARM schooner, Amherst Island, Lake Ontario, shipwreck, maritime history, Great Lakes, 19th century, wooden vessel, storm sinking, grain transport
