IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The J.W. BROOKS was a wooden propeller ship, a common type of steam-powered vessel used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Built in 1851 by William Gooding in Detroit, Michigan, the J.W. BROOKS was designed to transport cargo across the Great Lakes, utilizing its robust steam propulsion system. The vessel was particularly noted for its large size and capacity for the time.
HISTORY: #
The J.W. BROOKS had a troubled service history that culminated in a tragic sinking in 1856. Built in 1851, the vessel experienced several significant incidents before its final demise.
On November 4, 1856, while en route from Lake Erie to Ogdensburg, New York, the J.W. BROOKS encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario. The storm overwhelmed the vessel, leading to its sinking approximately 8 miles northeast of False Ducks Light. Tragically, 19 or 20 lives were lost in the incident, making it one of the more devastating shipwrecks on Lake Ontario during that period.
The J.W. BROOKS was carrying a cargo that included provisions and copper ingots. Ten days after the sinking, the steamer WELLINGTON located the wreck lying in 50 feet of water. The stern was resting on the lakebed while 8 feet of the bow remained visible above the water. Efforts to salvage the ship were initially successful, with the steamer TRAVELLER attempting to tow the wreck. However, the ship sank again during this operation.
Remarkably, the J.W. BROOKS was partially raised the following year, and some of its cargo was recovered. The vessel was dragged, still submerged, to Garden Island, Ontario, in July 1857.
Before its final sinking, the J.W. BROOKS had experienced several notable incidents. In July 1855, the vessel’s boiler partially exploded off Ashtabula, Ohio, resulting in the death of one crew member due to scalding and the drowning of two others who panicked and jumped overboard. The ship had also previously sunk on the Canadian shore in May 1855.
In another incident on May 26, 1855, the J.W. BROOKS ran ashore near Long Point, Lake Ontario, during foggy conditions. The vessel, loaded with flour and other goods destined for Ogdensburg, was partially damaged but was likely refloated after assistance was sent. Additionally, the ship ran aground near Oswego, New York, but was lightened and refloated with a reported property loss of $200.
The ship’s history is marred by frequent mishaps, culminating in its tragic sinking and the loss of many lives.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The J.W. BROOKS was lost in a storm on November 4, 1856. Despite some salvage efforts, the vessel was ultimately declared a total loss. The shipwreck remains a somber reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the J.W. BROOKS wreck site. However, Lake Ontario, particularly near False Ducks Light, is known for its hazardous conditions, and mariners should navigate with caution in this area.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck was discovered by the steamer WELLINGTON ten days after the sinking. Salvage operations took place in the following year, with the vessel being partially raised and moved to Garden Island, Ontario.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Information on shipwrecks and vessel histories in the Great Lakes region.
KEYWORDS: #
J.W. BROOKS, Wooden Propeller Ship, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, False Ducks Light, 1856 Sinking, Canadian Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The sinking of the J.W. BROOKS is a tragic chapter in the history of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes. The ship’s repeated incidents, culminating in its loss during a severe storm, underscore the perils faced by vessels in the mid-19th century. The story of the J.W. BROOKS is also a testament to the early salvage efforts that sought to recover valuable cargo from shipwrecks, reflecting the commercial importance of these vessels during that era.
