Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alice
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Pultneyville, Lake Ontario
- Original Owners: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: The Alice was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two or more masts and fore-and-aft rigging.
Description
Description: The Alice was involved in maritime commerce on Lake Ontario, primarily transporting goods such as staves. Its design as a schooner made it suitable for navigating the Great Lakes, although it faced significant challenges due to weather conditions.
History
History: The Alice had a troubled history marked by incidents at sea. In January 1859, it capsized during a severe squall off Long Point while carrying a cargo of staves, resulting in a total loss valued at $1,800. Fifteen years later, in September 1874, the vessel was wrecked near Pultneyville, leading to another complete loss, this time with damages estimated at $4,500.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- January 1859: The Alice capsized off Long Point, resulting in a total loss of the vessel and cargo.
- September 1874: The Alice was wrecked near Pultneyville, marking the end of its service.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition: The Alice was confirmed lost in both incidents, with no recovery of the vessel or cargo reported. Its wreck near Pultneyville remains a part of the maritime history of Lake Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility: The current condition of the wreck is not specified, and accessibility for divers may vary depending on local regulations and conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alice-1859″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion: The Alice serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes schooners in the 19th century. Its history illustrates the human and economic costs of maritime commerce and the importance of advancements in technology to improve safety at sea.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: Alice
- Type: Schooner
- Build Date: Not specified
- Owner: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Final Resting Place: Pultneyville, Lake Ontario
Early Incidents:
In January 1859, the Alice faced a severe squall off Long Point on Lake Ontario while transporting a cargo of staves. The storm caused the schooner to capsize, resulting in a total loss of both the vessel and its cargo. The estimated property loss from this incident was $1,800—a significant amount for the era. The event was chronicled in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser on January 15, 1859.
Final Tragedy:
Fifteen years later, in September 1874, the Alice was wrecked near Pultneyville, Lake Ontario, marking the end of its service. The schooner suffered a complete loss, with property damages valued at $4,500. This incident was recorded in the 1874 Casualty List, as reported by the Chicago Inter-Ocean on December 25, 1874.
Legacy and Significance:
The Alice‘s repeated misfortunes underscore the perils of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Schooners like the Alice were vital to the regional economy, transporting essential goods such as lumber and staves. However, unpredictable weather and limited navigational technology often led to tragedy.
The loss of the Alice highlights the risks faced by its owners, crew, and the broader maritime community. These stories are essential to understanding the historical challenges of Great Lakes commerce and the development of safety technologies that have since improved maritime travel.
External Links & Resources:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Resource with records and historical accounts of the Alice and similar vessels.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Conclusion:
The Alice serves as a poignant example of the trials faced by Great Lakes schooners in the 19th century. Its history reminds us of the human and economic costs of maritime commerce and the importance of advancements in technology to mitigate these dangers.
Keywords:• Schooner• Lake Ontario• 19th Century Maritime History• Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Glossary:
• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, fore-and-aft rigged.
• Staves: Narrow strips of wood used to form barrels or casks.
• Casualty List: A record of maritime accidents and losses during a specific year.
The schooner ALICE had a history of unfortunate incidents on Lake Ontario in the mid-19th century. The first recorded mishap occurred in January 1859 when the vessel was carrying a cargo of staves. A sudden squall off Long Point on Lake Ontario caused the schooner to capsize, leading to the loss of the cargo and the vessel itself. The property loss from this incident was estimated at $1,800. This event was reported in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser on January 15, 1859, as part of the 1858 Casualty List. alice-1859 1874-09-14 07:49:00