Eliza Wilson (1855)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Eliza Wilson
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1855
• Builder: Alexander McClere
• Dimensions: Length: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m); Beam: 20 ft; Depth of hold: 7 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 93 tons
• Location: Gibraltar Point, near Toronto, Ontario
• Original Owners: J. Wilson Esq. (firm Wilson & Keighley), Toronto, Ontario
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Eliza Wilson was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1855 at Port Nelson, Ontario. Schooners like the Eliza Wilson were integral to the Lake Ontario trade network, transporting goods such as lumber, grain, and other bulk cargoes between Canadian and American ports. The vessel was owned by J. Wilson Esq. of Toronto, part of the firm Wilson & Keighley.

Description

The Eliza Wilson was constructed with a wooden hull and featured a single deck. It measured 7 feet 6 inches in length, had a beam of 20 feet, and a depth of 7 feet. The vessel was registered at 93 tons and was equipped with two masts.

History

1855, May 24: The Eliza Wilson was launched and began serving the Lake Ontario trade routes.

1856, November 19: The schooner helped rescue the cargo of the propeller Northern Michigan after it filled with water while sailing on Lake Ontario.

1863, November: The Eliza Wilson met her end when she stranded and went aground near Gibraltar Point, close to Toronto, Ontario, while carrying a cargo of wood. The ship was declared a total loss.

Significant Incidents

• 1856: Assisted in the rescue of cargo from the Northern Michigan.
• 1863: Stranded at Gibraltar Point during poor weather conditions, leading to total loss.

Final Disposition

In November 1863, the Eliza Wilson was stranded at Gibraltar Point near Toronto, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The schooner went aground during poor weather conditions and could not be salvaged. The ship was carrying a cargo of wood at the time of the incident, which was also lost.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no modern record of the wreck of the Eliza Wilson being located or explored. Its remains likely lie near Gibraltar Point, but no formal efforts to recover the vessel have been documented. There are no current navigation hazards associated with the wreck, though the area around Gibraltar Point has historically seen numerous shipwrecks due to its proximity to Toronto’s busy harbor and frequent storms.

Resources & Links

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The Eliza Wilson‘s grounding highlights the challenges schooners faced while navigating the often dangerous waters of Lake Ontario, where sudden storms and difficult navigational conditions frequently claimed ships.