Laurel, Laura (1871)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The schooner Laurel, also known as Laura, was a wooden vessel built in 1871 by a builder named O’Mara at Oliver’s Ferry, Ontario. Designed primarily for cargo transport, the Laurel was typical of the smaller schooners that plied the Great Lakes in the 19th century. With a length of 67 feet, a beam of 16 feet, and a depth of 5 feet, the schooner was relatively small but capable of carrying significant loads for regional trade. The vessel’s gross tonnage was 45 tons, making it suitable for transporting commodities such as iron ore, timber, and grain across the vast waters of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY #

The Laurel, also known as the Laura, was a wooden schooner constructed in 1871 at Oliver’s Ferry, Ontario, by a shipbuilder named O’Mara. Designed for the transportation of cargo across the Great Lakes, the Laurel was a typical workhorse of its time, serving the vital role of moving goods between the many ports scattered along the shores of these vast inland seas. Measuring 67 feet in length, with a beam of 16 feet and a depth of 5 feet, the schooner had a gross tonnage of 45 tons, making it a modest but sturdy vessel suited to the demands of 19th-century lake commerce. The schooner’s official number, recorded as “C,” further marked its identity in the shipping registries of the time.

The Laurel met its tragic end on August 22, 1876, while on a voyage from Kingston, Ontario, to either Charlotte or Fair Haven, New York. The vessel was carrying a cargo of 60 tons of iron ore when it encountered a severe storm approximately 15 miles from Oswego, New York. The weather, which can be notoriously unpredictable on the Great Lakes, quickly escalated, and the schooner began to take on water. Despite the desperate efforts of the crew to manage the situation, the storm proved too powerful, and the Laurel foundered, sinking off the coast near Big Sandy Creek.

The sinking of the Laurel is a stark reminder of the dangers that sailors faced while navigating the Great Lakes, where sudden and violent storms could transform a routine voyage into a life-threatening ordeal. Fortunately, all three crew members aboard the Laurel survived the incident. They managed to escape the sinking vessel in the schooner’s yawl, a small emergency boat, and were rescued by local fishermen who brought them safely to shore. The schooner was owned by its skipper, Captain Staley, and his father, making the loss of the Laurel a personal tragedy for its owners. Despite the loss of the vessel, the survival of the crew was a small mercy in an otherwise grim event.

The story of the Laurel serves as a poignant example of the perils of maritime life on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The schooner’s loss underscores the ever-present danger posed by the natural elements in these vast and often unforgiving waters. The courage and resilience of the sailors who navigated these challenges are epitomized in the survival of the Laurel’s crew, who managed to escape the clutches of the storm that claimed their ship. The Laurel’s fate is a reminder of the thin line between life and death that mariners walked as they plied their trade on the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The schooner Laurel sank off Big Sandy Creek on Lake Ontario during a storm on August 22, 1876. The wreck lies undiscovered and remains at the bottom of the lake. Despite the tragic loss of the vessel, all crew members survived, making their way to shore in the ship’s yawl.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

There is no record of the Laurel’s wreck being located or surveyed. The vessel remains at the bottom of Lake Ontario near the site of its sinking.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the Laurel. The site is not considered a navigational hazard, and the wreck has not been marked on marine charts.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

David Swayze Shipwreck Database: Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes Great Lakes Now: Great Lakes Shipwrecks Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Preservation and Exploration

Conclusion #

The story of the schooner Laurel is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the violent storms that can arise without warning. The vessel’s loss in 1876 serves as a testament to the challenges of maritime life during the 19th century, as well as the resilience and bravery of those who navigated these treacherous waters. Although the Laurel now lies at the bottom of Lake Ontario, its history continues to contribute to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Schooner Laurel, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, 19th Century Maritime History, Oswego, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooner, Iron Ore Cargo, Maritime Navigation.