Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: B.F. Davy
- Type: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: A.L. Hazelton, Bath, Ontario
- Dimensions: 459 tons (gross tonnage)
- Registered Tonnage: 459 tons
- Location: Port Colborne, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Not documented
- Number of Masts: Not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled schooner
Description
The B.F. Davy was a wooden schooner constructed in 1855 by A.L. Hazelton in Bath, Ontario. With a gross tonnage of 459, she was designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Throughout her service, she underwent major repairs in 1861 and was rebuilt in 1867. At the time of her loss, she was carrying a cargo of corn. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On November 29, 1867, the B.F. Davy was navigating Lake Erie en route from Chicago to Kingston, Ontario, carrying a cargo of corn. While near Port Colborne, Ontario, she encountered a storm and was driven ashore onto a reef. The vessel sustained significant damage, with her back broken, and was declared a total loss. Details regarding the fate of her crew are not documented in available records. (linkstothepast.com)
Significant Incidents
- Major repairs in 1861.
- Rebuilt in 1867.
- Lost on November 29, 1867, during a storm near Port Colborne, Ontario.
Final Disposition
The B.F. Davy was driven ashore during a storm near Port Colborne, Ontario, resulting in a total loss. There is no record of salvage operations or attempts to recover the vessel. Her remains were likely left at the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the B.F. Davy has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”b-f-davy-1855″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the B.F. Davy underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly those involved in the grain trade. Her wreck near Port Colborne, Ontario, adds to the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in Lake Erie, contributing to the rich maritime history of the region. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the B.F. Davy’s story is a testament to the perils of lake navigation during that era. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: B.F. Davy
- Former Names: None recorded
- Official Registry Number: Not documented
- Date Built & Launched: 1855
- Builder: A.L. Hazelton, Bath, Ontario
- Measurements: 459 tons (gross tonnage)
- Date Lost: November 29, 1867
- Location of Loss: Port Colborne, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Corn
- Final Disposition: Ashore on a reef with her back broken; declared a total loss
- Located By & Date Found: Not documented
- NOTMARs & Advisories: None currently issued(linkstothepast.com, Fine Art America, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, The Blade, chautauqua.nygenweb.net, The Washington Post)
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled schooner
Description
The B.F. Davy was a wooden schooner constructed in 1855 by A.L. Hazelton in Bath, Ontario. With a gross tonnage of 459, she was designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Throughout her service, she underwent major repairs in 1861 and was rebuilt in 1867. At the time of her loss, she was carrying a cargo of corn.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On November 29, 1867, the B.F. Davy was navigating Lake Erie en route from Chicago to Kingston, Ontario, carrying a cargo of corn. While near Port Colborne, Ontario, she encountered a storm and was driven ashore onto a reef. The vessel sustained significant damage, with her back broken, and was declared a total loss. Details regarding the fate of her crew are not documented in available records.(linkstothepast.com)
Final Disposition
The B.F. Davy was driven ashore during a storm near Port Colborne, Ontario, resulting in a total loss. There is no record of salvage operations or attempts to recover the vessel. Her remains were likely left at the wreck site.
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the B.F. Davy has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the B.F. Davy. Given the time elapsed and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the B.F. Davy underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly those involved in the grain trade. Her wreck near Port Colborne, Ontario, adds to the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in Lake Erie, contributing to the rich maritime history of the region. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the B.F. Davy’s story is a testament to the perils of lake navigation during that era.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: B.F. Davy, Lake Erie shipwreck, 19th-century schooner, corn transport, Port Colborne wreck
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters of the 1860s, Grain Transport Vessels
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
- Driven Ashore: When a vessel is forced onto the shore by wind, waves, or current, often leading to wrecking.
- Total Loss: A term used when a vessel is damaged beyond repair.
Note: Due to the lack of precise location data and the time elapsed since the wreck, there is no shore dive information available for the B.F. Davy.
b-f-davy-1855 1867-11-29 01:10:00