Elk

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Schooner Elk
• Type: Schooner (sailing vessel)
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: 99 ft (30 m); Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: Not specified
• Registered Tonnage: Not specified
• Depth at Wreck Site: 4 m / 12 ft
• Location: Lower bay at Clayton, between Washington Island and the old Frink Snowplow Factory
• Coordinates: 44°14.629’N, 76°04.853’W

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The schooner was a wooden-hulled sailing vessel, common in the 19th century for transporting grain and other bulk goods. With its length and beam, the schooner was well-suited for navigating the waters of the St. Lawrence River and carrying substantial cargoes. The surviving remains suggest it was a dedicated grain carrier.

Description

The exact construction date, builder, and location for this schooner are unknown. However, circumstantial evidence and historical references suggest a strong connection to the schooner Elk, which operated in the St. Lawrence River during the early 1870s.

History

Key Historical References:

• Captain Wilber J. Vincent: Noted in his journal that he captained the schooner Elk in early 1873 before transferring to the schooner Belle Mitchell.
• Watertown Re-Union: A March 5, 1874, article discussed plans to raise and haul the schooner Elk onto Washington Island. This suggests the schooner was already lost or severely damaged before this date.
• 1876 St. Lawrence River Chart No. 6 (US Army Corps of Engineers): Mentions a wreck near Washington Island, correlating with the location of the remains identified today.
• 19th-Century Paintings: Depict frames and ribs of a wreck protruding from the water near the current site of the schooner.
• The schooner’s service history, beyond its connection to Captain Vincent, remains undocumented. The cause of its sinking, presumed to be before 1874, and the circumstances leading to its abandonment remain speculative.

Final Disposition

The schooner rests in shallow water (12 feet) in the lower bay at Clayton. The wreck is fragmented, with only the lower hull and some structural elements preserved. Its location near Washington Island aligns with historical accounts of a schooner wreck, potentially the Elk, in the area.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is in poor condition but accessible to divers and snorkelers due to its shallow depth. The site is heavily deteriorated, limiting opportunities for structural analysis but providing a snapshot of mid-19th-century shipbuilding techniques. The location’s historical context makes it a point of interest for maritime historians and recreational divers.

Resources & Links

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The schooner near Clayton, likely the Elk, represents an intriguing chapter in the maritime history of the St. Lawrence River. While its exact identity and fate remain uncertain, the wreck’s location and historical references provide a compelling narrative. Continued research and exploration may uncover further details about this enigmatic vessel and its role in 19th-century commerce.