Jessie Drummond (1865)

Vessel Type Description #

The Jessie Drummond was a wooden schooner, a vessel type widely used in the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk goods such as coal, timber, and grain. Schooners were favored for their multi-masted design, which allowed them to carry large cargo loads while maintaining a shallow draft. This design made them ideal for navigating the often challenging conditions of the Great Lakes, particularly near shallow waters and harbors. The Jessie Drummond measured 134.5 feet in length, with a breadth of 23 feet and a depth of 11.9 feet, giving it a registered tonnage of 292 tons.

History #

The Jessie Drummond was constructed in 1865 at St. Catharines, Ontario, and was originally registered to Hugh Rooney and other owners in Port Hope, Ontario. The vessel spent much of its career engaged in trade along the Great Lakes, transporting various bulk goods between the United States and Canadian ports.

By the time of its wreck in 1902, the schooner was carrying a cargo of 600 tons of soft coal from Oswego, New York, to Cobourg, Ontario. On November 29, 1902, the ship encountered a severe storm and sought shelter at Charlotte, New York. After waiting for better weather, the Jessie Drummond resumed her voyage on December 2, 1902.

As the vessel neared Cobourg, it was again caught in a storm, and due to poor visibility, the schooner missed the harbor lights. The vessel ran aground east of the east pier at Cobourg and began to take on water. Despite the harsh conditions, all seven crew members were rescued by the local life-saving crew, who courageously launched a lifeboat amidst the storm to bring them ashore.

Final Disposition #

The Jessie Drummond was declared a total loss following the wreck on December 2, 1902. Both the schooner and its cargo of 600 tons of coal were destroyed. Fortunately, no lives were lost thanks to the swift actions of the Cobourg life-saving crew, who managed to rescue all seven crew members.

Located By & Date #

The wreck occurred in close proximity to the shore, east of the pier at Cobourg, Ontario, on December 2, 1902. While the wreck’s location was known due to its visibility near the shore, there have been no significant salvage efforts or recorded explorations of the site.

Notmars & Advisories #

•Obstructions: Mariners should reference the latest Lake Ontario navigation charts, particularly in the Cobourg area, for any potential obstructions related to the wreck of the Jessie Drummond.

•The site is presumed to pose no significant navigation hazard, though caution is advised near the historical location of the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility #

Due to the vessel’s proximity to shore and the passage of time since its sinking in 1902, the wreck of the Jessie Drummond is likely in a state of significant decay. There is no record of modern recovery or diving operations at the site, and it remains unmarked.

Resources & Links #

• Buffalo Evening News (December 3, 1902): Provided contemporary reports of the wreck and the successful rescue of the crew.
• Port Huron Daily Times (December 4, 1902): Covered the severe storm and the final voyage of the Jessie Drummond.
• Canadian Vessel Registry (1898): Documented ownership and specifications of the schooner.
• Department of Transport Casualty List for 1902: Listed the Jessie Drummond as a total loss due to the wreck.

Analysis #

The story of the Jessie Drummond is a classic example of the dangers faced by schooners on the Great Lakes, even in the final days of their voyages. The vessel’s unexpected encounter with severe weather, poor visibility, and navigational challenges near shore highlights the perilous nature of maritime trade in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The successful rescue of the crew stands as a testament to the bravery of the Cobourg life-saving crew and the importance of community efforts to protect mariners during hazardous storms.

•Jessie Drummond

•Schooner

•Cobourg

•Lake Ontario

•Shipwreck

•Storm

•Maritime History

•Great Lakes

•Rescue

•19th Century