Esperanza C80595

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Esperanza
• Type: Wooden propeller-driven vessel
• Year Built: 1876
• Builder: Buffalo, New York, USA
• Dimensions: Length: 57 ft (17.4 m); Beam: 9 ft (2.7 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 22; Net Tonnage: 11
• Location: Off Cape Croker, Georgian Bay, Ontario
• Coordinates: Approximately 45.0000°N, 81.0000°W
• Official Number: C80595
• Original Owners: Sold to Canadian interests circa 1880
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller-driven vessel, possibly a yacht or small steamer.

Description

The Esperanza was a wooden propeller-driven vessel constructed in 1876 in Buffalo, New York. With a length of 57 feet (17.4 meters), a beam of 9 feet (2.7 meters), and a depth of 5 feet (1.5 meters), she had a gross tonnage of 22 and a net tonnage of 11. Initially registered in the United States, the vessel was sold to Canadian interests around 1880. (E – Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – WordPress.com)

History

After her construction in 1876, the Esperanza served under U.S. registry before being sold to Canadian owners circa 1880. Details about her service history are limited, but she likely operated in the Great Lakes region, possibly as a private yacht or small cargo vessel. On July 30, 1907, while navigating Georgian Bay near Cape Croker, the Esperanza caught fire and was completely destroyed. The specific circumstances of the fire, including its origin and whether there were any casualties, remain undocumented.

Significant Incidents

• July 30, 1907: The Esperanza caught fire and was completely destroyed off Cape Croker.

Final Disposition

The Esperanza burned to a total loss off Cape Croker in Georgian Bay. There is no available information indicating that the vessel was salvaged or that any significant recovery efforts were undertaken.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the Esperanza has been located or documented by maritime archaeologists or divers.

Resources & Links

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The Esperanza serves as a historical example of the maritime risks faced by vessels operating in the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. While specific details about the vessel and the circumstances of its destruction are scarce, the event underscores the dangers of fire aboard wooden ships of that era. Further research and exploration may one day shed more light on this enigmatic shipwreck.