Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alfred Allen (formerly J. J. Morley)
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1853 (Rebuilt and renamed in 1862)
- Builder: H.N. Throop, Pultneyville, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 160 tons
- Location: Mohawk Reef near Port Colborne, Ontario
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: 1360
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Alfred Allen was a typical wooden schooner of the 19th century, designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Originally constructed as the J. J. Morley, the vessel was rebuilt and renamed Alfred Allen in 1862. Schooners like the Alfred Allen were renowned for their speed and efficiency, making them invaluable to the growing trade networks of the Great Lakes region.
Description
The Alfred Allen started its life as the J. J. Morley, constructed in 1853 by H.N. Throop in Pultneyville, New York. It served as a vital link in the chain of goods transportation that powered the economies of lakeside communities. In 1862, the schooner was extensively rebuilt, resulting in its renaming as the Alfred Allen.
History
The schooner was a testament to the bustling trade on the Great Lakes, but its fate underscored the unpredictable and hazardous conditions faced by mariners of the time.
Significant Incidents
- 1853-1862: Operated under the name J. J. Morley.
- 1862: Rebuilt and renamed Alfred Allen.
- October 27, 1869: While carrying 500 barrels of salt to Toledo, the Alfred Allen encountered a blizzard. The fierce storm drove the schooner onto Mohawk Reef near Port Colborne, Ontario, Lake Erie. The crew survived, but the vessel was stranded.
- November 30, 1869: The vessel, washed free from the reef, was driven ashore by waves. Battered by the relentless storm, the Alfred Allen broke apart.
- 1874: Listed in the Merchant Vessels as a “wrecked” vessel, marking its official end.
Final Disposition
The Alfred Allen was wrecked on October 27, 1869, and its remains were destroyed by November 30, 1869, after being driven ashore from Mohawk Reef. No salvage efforts were recorded, and the wreck was officially listed as lost in maritime records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Alfred Allen’s remains were left to the elements after it broke apart in 1869. Given its age and the violent circumstances of its loss, it is likely that no substantial remnants of the vessel exist today.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alfred-allen-j-j-morley-us-1360″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Alfred Allen serves as a vivid reminder of the perilous conditions that 19th-century sailors faced on the Great Lakes. Its loss, during a devastating storm in 1869, highlights the challenges of transporting goods like salt in a time when maritime technology was at the mercy of nature. Though the vessel itself is lost to time, its history remains a significant chapter in the maritime legacy of Lake Erie and Port Colborne.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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