Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: EMERALD
- Type: Schooner (also referred to as a bark)
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: George Hardison, Port Colborne, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 139 ft (42.4 m); Beam: 25.6 ft (7.8 m); Depth of hold: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 343.66 tons; Net: 322.39 tons
- Location: Off Port Hope, Lake Ontario
- Original Owners: Francis McMaster, Deseronto, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The EMERALD was a three-masted schooner designed for bulk cargo transport across Lake Ontario. Built with robust wooden construction, the vessel was primarily engaged in the coal trade, often ferrying cargo between ports like Fair Haven and Toronto. As a Class A 2 vessel in the Insurance Classification Index of 1878, the EMERALD was regarded as seaworthy and reliable.
Description
Built in 1872 by George Hardison in Port Colborne, the EMERALD was initially owned by P. Larkins and valued at $14,000. Over the years, the vessel became a familiar sight on Lake Ontario, known for its service in transporting coal.
History
Final Voyage
On November 29, 1911, the EMERALD embarked on its final voyage, departing from Charlotte (near Rochester, NY) for Toronto. The vessel carried coal and faced deteriorating weather conditions about 25 miles from its destination. After 13 days of waiting for favorable weather, the schooner attempted to return to Charlotte but was overwhelmed by the storm.
The crew included:
- Captain Francis McMaster (also the owner)
- Walter McMaster (Captain McMaster’s son)
- John Slight (Port Hope)
- John Selkirk (crew member)
- John Bohrman (Picton, Ontario)
- A Frenchman from Ogdensburg, NY
- Mrs. Wright (cook, St. Catharines, Ontario)
Significant Incidents
Discovery of Wreckage
Wreckage believed to belong to the EMERALD washed ashore near Cobourg, Ontario, including:
- A cabin locker door
- Foremast remains
- A provision box
- A cabin or deckhouse
Local witnesses reported seeing a distressed three-masted schooner, likely the EMERALD, struggling in the storm before disappearing near Brighton, Ontario.
Final Disposition
Sinking
The EMERALD foundered in Lake Ontario, likely due to structural failure or overwhelming weather conditions. None of the crew survived, and no bodies were recovered.
Speculations and Theories
- Structural Failure: A sudden loss of the foremast or bowsprit may have incapacitated the vessel.
- Collision: The ship may have struck a submerged obstacle.
- Foundering: The schooner may have been overwhelmed by the storm’s winds and waves.
In July 1911, divers searching near Port Hope for the wreck of the steel dredge SIR WILFRED encountered the hull of a schooner, speculated to be the EMERALD. However, this theory remains unconfirmed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the EMERALD remains undiscovered, and its condition is unknown. The scattered wreckage recovered along the shoreline suggests significant damage, likely leaving limited remains for potential future discovery.
Resources & Links
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The EMERALD’s tragic loss off Port Hope on November 29, 1911, underscores the perils of Great Lakes navigation in the early 20th century. Despite its robust construction and long history of service, the vessel could not withstand the storm’s force. The loss of all crew members, including Captain McMaster and his family, left a lasting impact on the communities of Lake Ontario. The wreck remains a poignant and mysterious chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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