DOLPHIN (1814)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Vessel Name: Dolphin Type: Schooner Location: Pultneyville Harbor, Lake Ontario Final Fate: Crushed by ice Date of Wreck: Morning of the 26th (exact date unknown; reported on January 12, 1819) Captain: E. Brockway Incident Type: Ice Damage

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Dolphin was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel common in the early 19th century, typically used for transporting goods and sometimes passengers across the Great Lakes. Schooners were often chosen for their speed and agility, making them suitable for navigating the variable conditions on the lakes. The exact dimensions and tonnage of the Dolphin are not recorded, but it was under the command of Captain E. Brockway at the time of its destruction.

HISTORY #

The Dolphin met its tragic end in Pultneyville Harbor on Lake Ontario. While the specific date of the incident remains unknown, it was reported in the Niagara Patriot newspaper on January 12, 1819. On the morning of the 26th, during a severe gale, the schooner encountered a catastrophic event as it was crushed by the force of ice in the harbor. The intense pressure of the ice completely shattered the vessel, leading to its total destruction.

This incident highlights the dangers faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the harsh winter months when ice could pose a significant threat to vessels caught in its grip. The schooner Dolphin is remembered as one of the many vessels lost to the unforgiving conditions of Lake Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Dolphin was destroyed by ice in Pultneyville Harbor. The force of the ice during the gale was so severe that it crushed the vessel, leaving it completely shattered. There is no record of the schooner’s remains being recovered, and it is likely that the wreckage was either lost or scattered by the forces of nature.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Dolphin wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The incident was reported in the Niagara Patriot on January 12, 1819. The exact date of the wreck is unknown, but it occurred on the morning of the 26th before this report.