Identification and Site Information #
History #
The Pioneer was a wooden schooner constructed by Mr. M. Simpson of Newcastle for Mr. J. Robinson and launched in May 1860. Built for the purpose of engaging in fishing trips to the Gulf during the summer months, the Pioneer had a tonnage of 115 tons and was well-suited for its intended use.
The schooner met its unfortunate fate on June 11, 1871, when it sank in Lake Ontario. The vessel was en route from Oswego, loaded with coal, when it went down approximately 5 or 6 miles off Presqu’Isle Point. The exact cause of the sinking remains unclear, but it resulted in the complete loss of the vessel, which now rests in about 25 fathoms (150 feet) of water. Remarkably, despite the harrowing experience, all crew members survived the incident.
Contemporary reports from the Cobourg Sentinel and other local newspapers confirmed the sinking of the Pioneer. The accounts noted that the ship foundered on Monday afternoon, June 11, 1871, in 160 feet of water, yet the crew managed to escape unharmed, highlighting the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during this period.
Vessel Specifications #
- Tonnage: 115 tons
- Length: 99 feet
- Beam: 18 feet
- Depth of Hold: 7 feet
- Construction: Carvel-built wooden hull
- Masts: Two
- Stern: Square stern
- Bowsprit: Standing bowsprit
- Deck: Single deck
The Pioneer was registered in the port of Whitby and built by John Treleaven, who also served as the surveyor. The subscribing owners included John Guy of Oshawa, John Blow of Whitby, and John Allen, each holding various shares in the vessel. By 1868, John Allen had transferred his shares due to a mortgage, and the vessel’s certificate was eventually canceled in 1881, ten years after the Pioneer was lost.
Final Disposition #
The Pioneer was permanently lost off Presqu’Isle Point, marking the end of its maritime service. The shipwreck, now lying in deep waters, remains a part of Lake Ontario’s rich maritime history.
Resources & Links #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive resource on shipwrecks and maritime history on the Great Lakes.
- Wikipedia – List of Shipwrecks in Lake Ontario – General information on shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.
- Cobourg Sentinel Archives – Historical newspaper archives for local maritime incidents.
Tags #
- Type: Schooner
- Location: Lake Ontario, Presqu’Isle Point
- Year Built: 1860
- Year Wrecked: 1871
- Purpose: Fishing, Coal Transport
- Construction: Wooden hull, Carvel-built
Analysis #
The sinking of the Pioneer adds to the long list of maritime tragedies that have occurred on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s history reflects the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners, who navigated these waters with limited technology and faced unpredictable weather conditions. The survival of the crew despite the total loss of the vessel is a testament to their seamanship and the importance of swift action in the face of disaster. The Pioneer‘s story also underscores the economic importance of these schooners, which played a vital role in transporting goods such as coal across the Great Lakes region.
