IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Name: William Jamieson (also known as Jamison)
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Dimensions: Length: 100 feet (30.48 meters), Beam: 25 feet (7.62 meters), Depth: 9 feet (2.74 meters)
- Registered Tonnage: 143 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 60 feet (18.29 meters)
- Location: Amherst Island, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: N 44°08.865′ W 76°47.625′
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The William Jamieson was a wooden schooner built in 1878 by W. Jamieson in Deseronto, Ontario. It was designed as a two-masted vessel with a square stern and no figurehead. With a gross tonnage of 143 tons, it was primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. The schooner was one of the last working vessels of its kind when it sank in 1923.
HISTORY #
The William Jamieson had a rich history, serving various owners throughout its operational life. Initially owned by John McLelland, William Cann, and David Galbraith, the vessel later passed to Mary Savage of Picton and then to Chancy Daryaw of Kingston. The schooner was involved in several incidents, including damage from storms and a broken mainmast, which required repairs over the years.
On May 15, 1923, while carrying a cargo of hard coal from Oswego, the William Jamieson encountered a severe storm off the north side of Amherst Island. The schooner began to leak heavily, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Despite the loss of the vessel, all crew members, including Captain Patrick McManus and others, managed to escape in a lifeboat and reach safety.
The wreck of the William Jamieson was located by divers around 1970. It was found well-preserved in 60 feet of water, with minimal wave action helping to maintain its condition. The bow was shattered, indicating that the ship likely struck the lake bottom headfirst when it sank.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The William Jamieson lies in the waters off Amherst Island, where it sank in 1923. The wreck was recorded at the provided coordinates and has been a site of interest for divers, who have recovered various artifacts from the site, including a brass compass, steam whistle, and crockery.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck is well-preserved, resting at a depth of 60 feet, making it accessible to recreational divers. The site provides a unique glimpse into the history of schooners on the Great Lakes, with its intact hull and recovered artifacts offering valuable insights into the vessel’s construction and final voyage.
PhotoGalleries
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Resource for divers exploring the William Jamieson wreck and other sites in Lake Ontario.
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Offers historical data and ship histories, including details on vessels like the William Jamieson.
- Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting the wreck and its recovery.
- Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: A photographic collection featuring images of the William Jamieson wreck and similar shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.
KEYWORDS #
- William Jamieson
- Amherst Island wreck
- Lake Ontario shipwrecks
- Great Lakes schooner
- 1923 storm
- Deseronto shipbuilding
- Kingston maritime history
ANALYSIS #
The William Jamieson schooner represents the end of an era for wooden cargo vessels on the Great Lakes. Built in 1878, it served for nearly half a century before succumbing to a storm in 1923. The vessel’s history is marked by its resilience, surviving multiple incidents and ownership changes, until its final voyage off Amherst Island.
The discovery and documentation of the wreck provide an invaluable historical resource, capturing the maritime heritage of the region. The preservation of the William Jamieson in its final resting place allows for ongoing exploration and study, contributing to our understanding of the construction and operation of schooners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The artifacts recovered from the wreck also offer a tangible connection to the vessel’s operational life and the people who sailed her.
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