Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Duke of Richmond
- Type: Wooden Sloop
- Year Built: 1820
- Builder: Richard Oates
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 70 tons
- Location: Mainland north of Nicholson Island, Ontario
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Richard Oates
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Duke of Richmond was a wooden sloop, a type of single-masted sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. Sloops were ideal for carrying passengers and cargo along the relatively short and narrow shipping routes of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
At 70 tons, the Duke of Richmond was a modestly sized vessel suited for regional trade. She was built in York (Toronto) by Richard Oates, who was both her builder, owner, and master.
Description
The Duke of Richmond was engaged in the Great Lakes trade, regularly carrying cargo between Oswego, New York, and York, Upper Canada (Toronto). In December 1826, she was laden with salt and heading back to York from Oswego when she encountered a powerful storm on Lake Ontario.
Buffeted by fierce winds and heavy waves, the sloop was driven ashore on the mainland north of Nicholson Island, where she was wrecked beyond repair. Despite the violent conditions, no lives were lost in the disaster.
One of the most famous artifacts from the Duke of Richmond was her ornamental deck cannon, which was salvaged and taken to Wellington, Ontario. The cannon became a town landmark, used to fire ceremonial salutes on special occasions. However, in 1866, it was accidentally overcharged and exploded violently, ending its use as a town relic.
Adding to the ship’s lore, in 1873, the son of Captain Richard Oates retrieved a piece of timber from the wreck and had it crafted into a chair—a sentimental artifact from one of Lake Ontario’s earliest known commercial wrecks.
History
The Duke of Richmond had suffered damage before:
- February 1825: The vessel was pushed ashore by ice near Niagara, sustaining heavy damage but was later repaired and returned to service.
Significant Incidents
Status: No known remains or underwater wreckage.
Final Disposition
The Duke of Richmond was declared a total loss after being driven ashore. There are no known remains of the wreck today.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known navigation warnings or wreck hazards.
Resources & Links
The Duke of Richmond was one of Lake Ontario’s earliest shipwrecks, a victim of the unpredictable storms that plagued 19th-century sailing vessels. Though she was lost nearly 200 years ago, her story lives on through historical records and artifacts—especially her explosive deck cannon and the timber-crafted chair made by her captain’s son.