Eureka C 46229 (US)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Eureka
• Type: Wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1858
• Builder: J.W. Barnes, Wilson, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 102 ft (31.1 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold: 9.5 ft (2.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 152 gross tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 37 m / 121 ft
• Location: Near Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: 44° 4.091′ N, 76° 35.215′ W
• Official Number: Canadian 46229 (initially U.S. registry)
• Original Owners: Chambers & Chadwick (Kingston, Ontario, 1883)
• Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Eureka was a mid-sized wooden schooner typical of the late 19th century, built with a robust oak hull and rigged for general cargo work on Lake Ontario. Its modest size and adaptability made it suitable for various bulk commodities, including timber and coal. By the 1870s, like many Great Lakes schooners, it transitioned primarily into the coal trade.

Description

The Eureka was a mid-sized wooden schooner typical of the late 19th century, built with a robust oak hull and rigged for general cargo work on Lake Ontario. Its modest size and adaptability made it suitable for various bulk commodities, including timber and coal. By the 1870s, like many Great Lakes schooners, it transitioned primarily into the coal trade.

History

Construction and Early Service: Launched in 1858 at Wilson, NY, the schooner was initially registered in Lewiston, NY, before moving to Toledo, Ohio in 1860 to serve in the expanding grain and ore trades of the western lakes.

Ownership Timeline:

• 1863 — King & Steel, Toledo, Ohio.
• 1864 — Giles & Sylvester, Montreal, Quebec.
• 1874 — Re-registered in Kingston, Ontario, under William Nickle; adapted for coal trade.
• 1876 — Williams & Co., Montreal.
• 1878 — A. Cantin, Montreal.
• 1883 — Chambers & Chadwick, Kingston, Ontario (final owners).

Role in Maritime Commerce: Initially a grain and cargo schooner, by the mid-1870s Eureka was engaged almost exclusively in hauling coal between Oswego, NY, and Kingston, ON. Its working life reflects the transition of schooners into bulk commodity carriers as steam-powered vessels increasingly dominated passenger and package freight routes.

Significant Incidents

Final Disposition: On 26 November 1883, Eureka was overwhelmed by a storm near Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario. The crew abandoned ship as conditions deteriorated. The vessel sank shortly afterward. No casualties were reported.

Final Disposition

On 26 November 1883, Eureka was overwhelmed by a storm near Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario. The crew abandoned ship as conditions deteriorated. The vessel sank shortly afterward. No casualties were reported.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Today, Eureka rests upright in 121 ft (37 m) of water. The hull remains intact, with spars and rigging collapsed nearby. Cold freshwater has preserved significant structural details. The site is considered an advanced dive due to its depth, thermocline, and occasional strong currents. 3D photogrammetry surveys have documented the wreck in detail.

Resources & Links

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The wreck of the Eureka offers a glimpse into the maritime history of the Great Lakes and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by sailors in the 19th century. Its well-preserved condition makes it a valuable site for divers and historians alike.