Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Old Taylor / Galloo
• Type: Daggerboard Schooner
• Year Built: Estimated between 1827–1830
• Builder: Whitford Gill and family
• Dimensions: Not documented
• Registered Tonnage: Not known
• Location: Lake Ontario
• Official Number: Not known
• Original Owners: Not documented
• Number of Masts: Two masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Both vessels were daggerboard schooners, constructed specifically for the shallow and variable depths of Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways. These schooners were light wooden vessels designed to maximize cargo capacity while maintaining navigability in shallow ports and coastal areas.

Description

Daggerboard schooners were distinct in their use of retractable centerboards, which could be raised or lowered depending on the water depth. This design, while uncommon in most maritime regions, became essential for the Great Lakes, where shifting shoals and sandbars posed significant challenges. These vessels were typically rigged with two masts and fore-and-aft sails, allowing for efficient cargo transport.

The Old Taylor and Galloo were built by Whitford Gill and his family on Galloo Island, which had a small but productive shipbuilding operation during the late 1820s and early 1830s. Their purpose was primarily commercial, transporting goods such as lumber, grain, and other commodities between Lake Ontario ports.

History

The construction of these vessels on Galloo Island reflects the ingenuity and adaptation of early shipbuilders to the unique conditions of the Great Lakes. The daggerboard design allowed these schooners to access ports that larger, keel-equipped ships could not.

The Old Taylor and Galloo, like their sister ship Three Brothers, would have played a critical role in regional trade during their operational years. However, their service was likely cut short by the hazards common to the lakes, including sudden storms, poor navigational aids, and frequent collisions with uncharted underwater hazards.

While no exact records survive detailing the final voyages or losses of these two schooners, it is presumed that they succumbed to one of these common threats, as did many other vessels of their era.

Significant Incidents

• The wreck of an unidentified daggerboard schooner, potentially one of these vessels, was discovered by Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber on May 18, 2019, with further investigation on August 15, 2020.
• Another daggerboard schooner, the Three Brothers, was discovered in July 2014 by Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland Stevens.

Final Disposition

The specific fates of the Old Taylor and Galloo remain unknown, but the discovery of a daggerboard schooner in Lake Ontario in 2020 suggests that one of these vessels may have been located. Further archaeological investigation, including artifact recovery and dendrochronological studies of the timbers, may eventually confirm the identity of the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No significant surface obstructions or hazards have been associated with the wrecks. Locations remain largely undisclosed for preservation purposes, but the 2020 discovery lies in deep water within Lake Ontario.

Resources & Links

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These daggerboard schooners represent a unique chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, showcasing the adaptability of early shipbuilders to the challenges of navigating shallow waters. Ongoing research and exploration may yet reveal more about their storied past.