Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: E. Hall
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1864
• Builder: Port Dover, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 170 tons
• Location: Approximately 15 miles off Fair Haven, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: Not documented
• Original Owners: Captain David O’Hagan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The E. Hall was a Canadian-built wooden schooner, typical of mid-sized cargo vessels operating on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Built for durability and efficiency, schooners like the E. Hall formed the backbone of regional trade, particularly in transporting bulk commodities. Its build from Port Dover reflects a period of growth in Ontario’s shipbuilding industry.

Description

The E. Hall was a wooden schooner that played a significant role in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes. With a registered tonnage of 170 tons, it was designed to carry bulk cargoes, including coal, which was a vital resource during the 19th century. The vessel was owned by Captain David O’Hagan at the time of its loss.

History

Throughout its career, the E. Hall transported goods across the Great Lakes, serving routes between Canadian and American ports. By 1879, it was under the ownership of Captain David O’Hagan and financially tied to H.B. Rathbun & Co, a major regional merchant and coal distributor.

On August 15, 1879, the schooner was en route from Big Sodus, NY, to Gananoque, Ontario, when it encountered a severe storm about 15 miles off Fair Haven, NY. The vessel began to take on water. Despite the crew’s pumping efforts, the flooding could not be stopped. The schooner slowly sank. The crew evacuated safely, but the ship and her cargo were lost.

Significant Incidents

• Cause of Loss: Severe weather and flooding
• Location: Unknown, approx. 15 miles off Fair Haven, NY
• Crew: All survived
• Wreck Condition: Presumed to be in a decayed and buried state
• Insurance Claim: $1,500
• Cargo Value: Owned along with the vessel by H.B. Rathbun & Co.

Final Disposition

The E. Hall was lost due to severe weather conditions that led to flooding. The crew managed to evacuate safely, but the vessel and its cargo were not recovered. The wreck is presumed to be in a decayed and buried state, with no known surveys or recovery efforts conducted since its sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the E. Hall remains unknown, as it has not been located. It is presumed to be in a decayed and buried state beneath Lake Ontario. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods, leaving the site better than they found it.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-hall-1864″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The E. Hall represents the silent losses that occurred frequently during the height of Great Lakes shipping. Her demise during a coal run is typical of the weather-related perils faced by schooners in the 19th century. Though she rests undiscovered beneath Lake Ontario, her history endures in maritime records, highlighting both the economic activity and vulnerability of schooner trade during this era.