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

• Vessel Name: C. Hickox
• Type of Wreck: Propeller-Driven Cargo Vessel
• Registry: Canadian Official Number 105817
• Year Built: 1873 by Kelley Island Lime Company, Cleveland, Ohio
• Hull Material: Wood
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 39.8 m (130.58 ft)
  • Beam: 7.5 m (24.66 ft)
  • Depth: 2.7 m (9 ft)
  • Gross Tonnage: 208 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 141 tons
• Final Location: Main Duck Island, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: 43°55.85′ N, 76°38.38′ W
• Water Depth: Partially on shore; mooring not required

Vessel Type

The C. Hickox was a wooden-hulled, single-propeller freight vessel constructed to transport bulk cargo including lumber, bricks, and coal throughout the Great Lakes. Designed for versatility, she was modernized early in her career with a new propeller wheel in 1874 to increase efficiency and maneuverability.

Description

This was a robust wooden propeller vessel typical of Great Lakes bulk freighters of the late 19th century, with a single-deck layout, prominent engine room aft, and open cargo holds amidships. The vessel had a straight stem and rounded stern, optimized for varied cargo, with reinforced framing to handle shifting loads.

History

Construction and Early Service
Launched in 1873 by the Kelley Island Lime Company in Cleveland, Ohio, the C. Hickox was named for Charles Hickox, president of the company. Originally built to haul lumber, the vessel quickly proved adaptable to a range of commodities including bricks and other construction materials.

Operational Career
The Hickox operated under multiple owners across ports in Detroit, Muskegon, and Milwaukee, with each new owner adapting her trade routes to evolving commercial needs. By the early 1900s, her focus shifted to the lucrative coal trade across Lake Ontario and the upper Great Lakes, under Edward Phillips of Saint Clair, Michigan.

Final Voyage and Loss
On December 2, 1906, the C. Hickox departed Oswego, New York, bound for Belleville, Ontario, with a cargo of coal. A fire broke out on board during the passage, quickly overwhelming the vessel’s firefighting capabilities. In a desperate effort to save themselves, the crew ran the burning ship aground on Main Duck Island, Lake Ontario, where she burned to a total loss. Estimated damage was placed at $8,000 CAD (1906 value). Remarkably, there were no fatalities.

Final Dispositions

The C. Hickox was abandoned as a total loss after the fire. Today, portions of the hull, boiler, and scattered machinery remain visible on Main Duck Island, gradually integrating with the shoreline environment.

Located By & Date Found

No formal “discovery” is credited, as the crew intentionally beached the vessel in 1906. However, wreck remnants have been documented in modern surveys.

Notmars & Advisories

None noted.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships (BGSU)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks
• Shipwreck Stories
• Wreck Photo Reference (shiphotos.com)
• Toronto Telegram Archives (York University)
• Flickr – C. Hickox Search
• YouTube – Main Duck Island Shipwreck

Shore Dive Information if Camping on Main Duck

• Shore Access Location: Main Duck Island, approximately 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Prince Edward Point
• Entry Type: Rocky shoreline
• Depth Range: 0–4 m (0–13 ft)
• Current & Conditions: Variable; exposed to Lake Ontario surge, moderate visibility, occasional algae
• Points of Interest: Boiler remains, scattered hull timbers, fasteners, partial framing
• Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate, shore-based exploration only
• Safety & Emergency Info:
  • Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario
  • Canadian Coast Guard Prescott MCTS: VHF Channel 16
  • Nearest 911 address: Prince Edward County (note: Main Duck is uninhabited)
  • Canadian emergency: 911
• Local Regulations: No permits required, but Main Duck is a National Wildlife Area — landings may be restricted during bird nesting seasons
• Best Time to Dive: Late June through September, with calmer weather windows
• Driving Directions:
  • Closest launch: Prince Edward County, Ontario (Google Maps, Apple Maps)
• Additional Resources:
  • Dive shops: Kingston, Picton, Prince Edward County
  • Local forums: Ontario Underwater Explorers

Conclusion

The C. Hickox is a vivid illustration of the perils of early 20th-century Great Lakes cargo transport. From lumber to coal, her diverse career under various owners showcased the adaptability of wooden propeller vessels in the face of industrial demands. Her fiery demise in 1906 near Main Duck Island ended more than three decades of workhorse service. Today, the accessible wreck site offers historians and divers alike a compelling link to Canada’s maritime past, highlighting both the engineering strengths and the hazards of wooden steam propulsion.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

• Keywords: C. Hickox, Main Duck Island, Lake Ontario shipwreck, propeller vessel, wooden freighter, coal transport, ship fire
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Lake Ontario Wrecks, Wooden Propeller Vessels, 19th-Century Maritime History
• Glossary: propeller vessel, beaching, ship fire, coal trade, National Wildlife Area

c-hickox-c105817 1906-12-02 07:52:00