Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Emperor (formerly Leopard)

•Type: Schooner

•Location: Near Presqu’Isle, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Approximate; exact coordinates not provided.

•Depth: Unspecified, grounded at Outer Range Lights.

History

The Emperor, originally named Leopard, was an American Schooner that met its end on November 2nd during an unspecified year, likely in the early 1870s. The vessel was transporting lumber from Port Hope to Oswego when it encountered severe conditions near Presqu’Isle, Lake Ontario. Reports from the Daily British Whig in Kingston detailed how the vessel’s anchor cables parted, causing it to drift and strand at the Outer Range Lights.

Key Details:

•Tonnage: 185.17 tons

•Identification Number: U.S. No. 8500

•Home Port: Oswego

The Emperor was documented as wrecked in the 1870 Statement of Wreck & Casualty by the Department of Marine and Fisheries, marking the vessel’s final voyage.

Construction and Early History

The Emperor was originally built as the Leopard in 1853 at Port Dover. Constructed as a scow Schooner, it was classified under Class B and valued at $4,000. Early ownership records list Bostwick & Co. as the proprietors, with its home port designated as Port Stanley.

•Initial Tonnage: 120 tons

•Construction Location: Port Rowan

•Original Owners: Killmaster & Co.

•Initial Value: £1,200

The Leopard underwent significant repairs in 1862, including structural modifications likely aimed at extending its operational life. Sometime after these changes, the vessel was renamed the Emperor, indicating a change in ownership or purpose.

Final Voyage and Wreck

The Emperor embarked on what would be its last voyage, loaded with lumber bound for Oswego. Unfortunately, harsh conditions and mechanical failures led to its grounding near Presqu’Isle. The parting of the anchor cables left the Schooner vulnerable to the elements, ultimately resulting in its wrecking.

The vessel’s wreckage, as reported in marine casualty records, highlighted the unpredictability of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. The Emperor’s service ended in tragedy, but it remains a part of the historical narrative of maritime challenges in the region.

Final Disposition

The Emperor was declared a Total Loss after grounding at the Outer Range Lights near Presqu’Isle. The wreck represents one of the many casualties in the unforgiving waters of Lake Ontario, particularly during the volatile autumn months.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed records and accounts of shipwrecks in the region.

•Daily British Whig Archives: Newspaper archives reporting on the Emperor’s wreck.

•List of U.S. Merchant Vessels: Official listing including the Emperor.

Tags

•Type: Schooner

•Location: Lake Ontario, Presqu’Isle

•Year Built: 1853 (Leopard)

•Year Wrecked: Early 1870s

•Purpose: Lumber transport

•Construction: Wooden Hull, scow Schooner

Analysis

The Emperor’s history underscores the dual challenges of aging vessels and unpredictable weather on the Great Lakes. Originally built as the Leopard, this Schooner served a vital role in cargo transport but faced increasing risks as it aged and conditions on the lakes worsened. Its eventual wreck highlights the limitations of maritime technology at the time and the constant dangers of Great Lakes navigation. The Emperor’s story is emblematic of 19th-century maritime resilience and tragedy.