J.L. Ranney (1850)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: J.L. Ranney
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Louis Shickluna (attributed), St. Catharines, Ontario
• Dimensions: Approx. 80–100 ft (24–30 m) length; Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 113 tons (old measurement)
• Location: Hull repurposed into Fred L. Wells, later lost near Port Bruce, Ontario
• Coordinates: None – hull reused in Fred L. Wells
• Official Number: Not listed
• Original Owners: Norris & Graham, St. Catharines (1854)
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The J.L. Ranney was a two-masted wooden schooner, rigged fore-and-aft, designed for versatility in cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

Description

The J.L. Ranney was a mid-19th century, two-masted wooden schooner constructed at St. Catharines, Ontario — then a hub of Great Lakes shipbuilding due to its proximity to the Welland Canal. Her 113 tons of registry placed her in the medium schooner class, making her versatile for both coastal and cross-lake voyages. With a single deck and fore-and-aft rig, she required a smaller crew while retaining the ability to carry significant cargoes.

History

By 1854, Ranney was in service under the ownership of Norris & Graham of St. Catharines, likely trading lumber, grain, and coal between Canadian and American lake ports. Schooners like Ranney were essential to mid-century commerce, sustaining urban growth in Toronto, Buffalo, and Detroit while supporting rural-to-industrial supply chains.

Her service life was relatively short: by 1856 her hull was repurposed for the schooner Fred L. Wells in Port Huron, Michigan, extending her useful life as part of another vessel.

Significant Incidents

• No wreck site exists for Ranney herself. Any physical remains are incorporated into the wreck site of Fred L. Wells near Port Bruce, Ontario.

Final Disposition

The original hull of the J.L. Ranney no longer exists as a standalone wreck. Her timbers were reused in constructing the Fred L. Wells, which itself was lost near Port Bruce, Ontario in 1868. Thus, Ranney‘s maritime legacy continued indirectly through another schooner.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No wreck hazards directly attributable to J.L. Ranney. Related hazards pertain to the wreck of Fred L. Wells.

Resources & Links

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The J.L. Ranney reflects the rapid development of Great Lakes shipbuilding in the mid-19th century. Though her original form lasted only a few years, her timbers continued in service as the schooner Fred L. Wells. She is emblematic of the resourcefulness of shipbuilders and owners in extending the life of vessels through repurposing. While no distinct wreck remains, Ranney‘s story contributes to the broader heritage of St. Catharines’ Shickluna yard and the Welland Canal era.