Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Amelia (1836)

Explore the history of the Amelia, a wooden schooner lost in a storm on Lake Huron in 1864, with a rich service history and a mysterious final fate.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Amelia
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1836
  • Builder: J. Randall
  • Dimensions: Length 91 ft (27.7 m); Beam 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 106 tons
  • Location: Off Goderich, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Amelia was a medium-sized wooden schooner built in 1836, reflecting the standard design for cargo vessels of the time. With a durable wooden hull and a capacity of 106 tons, the schooner was well-suited for transporting goods across the Great Lakes, enduring the challenging weather and navigational hazards typical of the region.

Description

The Amelia was a wooden schooner measuring 91 feet in length, 19 feet in beam, and 7 feet in depth. Built by J. Randall in Oakville, Ontario, it was designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, showcasing the typical construction methods of the 19th century.

History

Early Service: Built by J. Randall in Oakville, Ontario, the Amelia served for nearly 30 years as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes. Operating during a period when schooners were essential for commerce, the vessel was a key contributor to trade and economic development in the region.

Incident of 1851: On October 5, 1851, the Amelia ran aground near Clear Creek, close to Rondeau on Lake Erie. The grounding caused damage to the vessel, resulting in a reported property loss of $470. Though it was repaired and returned to service, the incident highlighted the risks inherent in navigating the lakes.

Final Loss in 1864: On November 8, 1864, the Amelia encountered a violent storm off Goderich, Ontario, in Lake Huron. The schooner succumbed to the severe weather, foundering and breaking apart over the following weeks. By November 28, 1864, the vessel was reported to have been completely destroyed. Details of the cargo or potential loss of life remain unclear.

Recovery and Subsequent Loss: After its initial sinking, the Amelia was salvaged and rebuilt as a barge. However, this new chapter in its history was brief, as the vessel was lost again shortly after its rebuild. The specifics of this second loss are not well-documented, leaving an air of mystery surrounding its ultimate fate.

Significant Incidents

  • Grounding incident on October 5, 1851, near Clear Creek, resulting in damage and a property loss of $470.
  • Final loss on November 8, 1864, during a storm off Goderich, Ontario, leading to the vessel’s destruction.

Final Disposition

The Amelia was declared a total loss after its destruction in the 1864 storm. While the vessel was salvaged and repurposed as a barge, its rebuilt form also met with misfortune and was lost again. The location of the final wreck site has not been documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the Amelia is unknown, and the wreck’s exact location has not been established. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the passage of time, any remnants are likely to be severely deteriorated or buried in sediment. It is not considered an accessible site for diving or exploration.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”amelia-1836″ title=”References & Links”]

The Amelia represents the resilience and challenges of Great Lakes schooners during the 19th century. From its construction in 1836 to its destruction in 1864, the vessel’s nearly three decades of service reflect the importance of maritime transport in shaping the region’s economy. Its final loss near Goderich, Ontario, is a somber reminder of the dangers faced by early mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

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.

SHIPWRECK REPORT: AMELIA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name: Amelia
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Builder: J. Randall
  • Year Built: 1836
  • Build Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 91 feet (27.7 meters)
    • Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    • Depth: 7 feet (2.1 meters)
    • Tonnage: 106 tons
  • Final Location: Off Goderich, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Date of Loss: November 8, 1864
  • Coordinates: Not provided
  • Depth at Wreck Site: Shallow water (exact depth unspecified)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Amelia was a medium-sized wooden schooner built in 1836, reflecting the standard design for cargo vessels of the time. With a durable wooden hull and a capacity of 106 tons, the schooner was well-suited for transporting goods across the Great Lakes, enduring the challenging weather and navigational hazards typical of the region.

HISTORY

Early Service

Built by J. Randall in Oakville, Ontario, the Amelia served for nearly 30 years as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes. Operating during a period when schooners were essential for commerce, the vessel was a key contributor to trade and economic development in the region.

Incident of 1851

On October 5, 1851, the Amelia ran aground near Clear Creek, close to Rondeau on Lake Erie. The grounding caused damage to the vessel, resulting in a reported property loss of $470. Though it was repaired and returned to service, the incident highlighted the risks inherent in navigating the lakes.

Final Loss in 1864

On November 8, 1864, the Amelia encountered a violent storm off Goderich, Ontario, in Lake Huron. The schooner succumbed to the severe weather, foundering and breaking apart over the following weeks. By November 28, 1864, the vessel was reported to have been completely destroyed. Details of the cargo or potential loss of life remain unclear.

Recovery and Subsequent Loss

After its initial sinking, the Amelia was salvaged and rebuilt as a barge. However, this new chapter in its history was brief, as the vessel was lost again shortly after its rebuild. The specifics of this second loss are not well-documented, leaving an air of mystery surrounding its ultimate fate.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Amelia was declared a total loss after its destruction in the 1864 storm. While the vessel was salvaged and repurposed as a barge, its rebuilt form also met with misfortune and was lost again. The location of the final wreck site has not been documented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the Amelia. The exact location and condition of the wreck remain undocumented.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck site of the Amelia has not been specifically identified. The vessel’s destruction near Goderich in 1864 was reported in historical records, but no detailed exploration of the wreck site has been conducted.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The condition of the Amelia is unknown, and the wreck’s exact location has not been established. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the passage of time, any remnants are likely to be severely deteriorated or buried in sediment. It is not considered an accessible site for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Great Lakes Ships
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes

KEYWORDS

  • Amelia
  • Schooner
  • Wooden Vessel
  • Goderich
  • Lake Huron
  • Shipwreck
  • Great Lakes
  • Maritime History

CONCLUSION

The Amelia represents the resilience and challenges of Great Lakes schooners during the 19th century. From its construction in 1836 to its destruction in 1864, the vessel’s nearly three decades of service reflect the importance of maritime transport in shaping the region’s economy. Its final loss near Goderich, Ontario, is a somber reminder of the dangers faced by early mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

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