IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Queen of the Lakes was a wooden scow schooner constructed in 1853 by George N. Ault in Portsmouth, Ontario. Designed with a single deck and built primarily for cargo transportation, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 190 tons and measured 128 feet in length, 23.3 feet in beam, and 10.3 feet in depth. The scow schooner was a workhorse of the Great Lakes, typically used for transporting bulk goods such as coal and feldspar. Its flat-bottomed design made it well-suited for navigating the shallow waters of the Great Lakes’ harbors and rivers.
HISTORY #
The Queen of the Lakes served the Great Lakes region for over five decades, primarily under the ownership of James Richardson & Sons. The vessel was engaged in the transportation of coal and feldspar, playing a crucial role in the regional trade networks of the time.
On November 1, 1906, the Queen of the Lakes embarked on what would be its final voyage. The schooner, captained by Chauncey Darryaw, was en route from Charlotte to Kingston, carrying 500 tons of coal. As the vessel navigated Lake Ontario, it encountered severe weather conditions approximately ten miles from Sodus Point. The adverse weather led to the ship taking on water, and despite the crew’s efforts to manage the situation, the flooding proved too much for the aging vessel.
Captain Darryaw and his crew, including Frank Darryaw, R. Watts, Thomas Watson, Francis Truesdall, and Samuel Cannem, were forced to abandon ship as the Queen of the Lakes began to sink. They managed to reach shore safely in a yawl, but the vessel and its cargo were lost to the depths of Lake Ontario.
Before its final voyage, the Queen of the Lakes had recently undergone a significant reconstruction at Deseronto after being acquired by James Richardson & Sons from Captain Taylor. The schooner had also been involved in a notable voyage transporting feldspar from Kingston to Charlotte. Despite these efforts to extend the vessel’s service life, the Queen of the Lakes could not withstand the severe weather it encountered on its last journey. The lack of insurance coverage for the vessel exacerbated the financial loss suffered by the Richardsons and James Swift & Co., the latter of whom had contractual obligations to Queen’s University that were impacted by the sinking.
The loss of the Queen of the Lakes was widely reported in local newspapers, emphasizing the harsh realities of maritime trade on the Great Lakes and the significant impact such losses had on the communities and businesses involved.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Queen of the Lakes sank on November 1, 1906, near Sodus Point, Lake Ontario, after severe weather caused the vessel to take on water and ultimately breach. The crew abandoned ship safely, but the vessel and its cargo of 500 tons of coal were lost.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Located by: Not specified; the exact location of the wreck remains undocumented.
Date of Discovery: Not applicable.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Queen of the Lakes wreck site. The location of the vessel’s remains is not marked on navigational charts, and it does not pose a known hazard to current navigation.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Queen of the Lakes have not been definitively located. Without specific knowledge of its resting place, the site is not accessible to divers or researchers. The condition of the wreck, if it still exists, is unknown.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides historical context and records related to Great Lakes vessels, including the Queen of the Lakes.
- Rochester Union & Advertiser (Rochester, NY), Thurs., Nov. 3, 1859: Newspaper coverage of the incident and its impact on the local community.
- Great Lakes Ships: Offers extensive information on historical vessels that operated on the Great Lakes, including the Queen of the Lakes.
- Oswego Palladium, Monday, November 7, 1859: A detailed account of the sinking and its aftermath.
- Toronto Telegram (Toronto, ON), 2 Nov 1940 Schooner Days CCCCLXVIII: Historical reflection on the vessel’s service and loss.
- Daily News (Kingston, ON), Nov. 10, 1859: Local reporting on the event and its consequences.
- Charlotte Telegraph, Nov. 2nd, 1859: Coverage of the vessel’s last voyage and its tragic end.
CONCLUSION #
The Queen of the Lakes served the Great Lakes for over 50 years, enduring the harsh conditions of maritime trade in the region. Its loss on November 1, 1906, near Sodus Point is a testament to the challenges faced by sailors and vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Ontario. The sinking of the Queen of the Lakes marked the end of an era for a vessel that had been integral to the transport of coal and feldspar in the region. Despite the loss, the crew’s survival highlights the resilience and skill of those who worked on the Great Lakes during this period. The story of the Queen of the Lakes remains a significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.
KEYWORDS #
queen of the lakes schooner, lake ontario shipwreck, 1906 shipwreck, great lakes maritime history, scow schooner, sodus point wreck
ANALYSIS #
The Queen of the Lakes represents the typical experience of working vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Built for utility and endurance, the schooner served its owners and the region well until its final, tragic voyage. The vessel’s sinking underscores the inherent risks of maritime transport in the Great Lakes, where even seasoned crews and well-maintained ships could fall victim to the elements. The loss of the Queen of the Lakes is a reminder of the fragile nature of maritime operations in the face of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the maritime industry.
