Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ST. LOUIS
- Type: Canal Schooner/Barkentine
- Year Built: 1877
- Builder: Lewis Shickluna
- Dimensions: Length: 121 ft (36.88 m); Beam: 26.2 ft (7.99 m); Depth of hold: 11.9 ft (3.63 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 360.6 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 29.87 m / 98 ft
- Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: N 44° 06.885′ W 76° 33.571′
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ST. LOUIS, a canal schooner later classified as a barkentine, was built in 1877 by Lewis Shickluna, a prominent shipbuilder in St. Catharines, Ontario. Specifically designed for the Great Lakes lumber and grain trade, the ST. LOUIS featured a wire-rigged three-masted design with double topsails. Its build emphasized efficiency for canal and lake navigation, making it a vital asset for trade during its operational years.
Description
The wreck lies at a depth of 98 feet in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, an area known for hosting several scuttled vessels. After the fire rendered the ship unsalvageable, it was purposefully scuttled, becoming part of this underwater historical site.
History
Launch & Early Service: Launched on June 11, 1877, from St. Catharines, Ontario. Undertook its maiden voyage to Toledo, Ohio, carrying cargoes reflective of its significant tonnage and $20,000 valuation.
Operational Role: Transported grain from Duluth to Kingston and lumber from Duluth to Tonawanda, contributing to the economic development of the Great Lakes. Notable for its modern rigging and efficient cargo capacity.
Incidents:
- 1897: Ran aground near Fish Point in Lake Huron but was freed with tug assistance.
- Ownership changed frequently, including enrollment in St. Catharines (1877), Windsor (1889), and finally Kingston (1911).
End of Service: On March 15, 1926, the ST. LOUIS burned while docked in Kingston’s harbor. The remains were scuttled in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, marking the end of its nearly 50-year service.
Significant Incidents
- 1897: Ran aground near Fish Point in Lake Huron but was freed with tug assistance.
- Ownership changed frequently, including enrollment in St. Catharines (1877), Windsor (1889), and finally Kingston (1911).
Final Disposition
The wreck lies at a depth of 98 feet in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, an area known for hosting several scuttled vessels. After the fire rendered the ship unsalvageable, it was purposefully scuttled, becoming part of this underwater historical site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The wooden structure is likely deteriorated due to fire damage prior to scuttling and prolonged submersion. Key features, such as the hull framework, rigging remnants, or cargo elements, may still be present.
Accessibility: Depth makes it suitable for intermediate and advanced divers. Located in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, a renowned diving area with historical significance.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”st-louis-c-75386″ title=”References & Links”]
The ST. LOUIS offers divers and maritime historians an opportunity to explore a vessel that epitomized the canal schooner era. From its storied construction by Lewis Shickluna to its active years transporting vital cargo across the Great Lakes, the ship embodies the resilience and innovation of 19th-century maritime commerce. Its final resting place in the Wolfe Island Graveyard adds to the historical narrative of Lake Ontario shipwrecks.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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