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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eureka-c-46229-us” title=”References & Links”]
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.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Canadian 46229 (initially U.S. registry)
Registry: United States (1858), re-registered Canada (1874)
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Builder: J.W. Barnes, Wilson, New York
Year Built: 1858
Dimensions: Length: 102 ft (31.1 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth: 9.5 ft (2.9 m)
Tonnage: 152 gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown (likely coal)
Date of Loss: 26 November 1883
Location: Lake Ontario, near Pigeon Island
Coordinates: 44° 4.091′ N, 76° 35.215′ W
Depth: 121 ft (37 m)
Home Port: Kingston, Ontario (final registry)
Owners: Chambers & Chadwick (Kingston, Ontario, 1883)
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None (crew abandoned safely)
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.
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.
Located By & Date Found
Located by divers in the 2008s and later documented by volunteer marine archaeologists. The site is part of ongoing documentation efforts, including full 3D models completed by 3D Shipwrecks.
Notmars & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners. Divers should use caution due to depth, cold water, and limited natural light.
Dive Information
Access: Boat dive only
Entry Point: Kingston-area charter boats
Conditions: Cold water (thermocline common), 10–40 ft visibility
Depth Range: 121 ft (37 m)
Emergency Contacts: Canadian Coast Guard, Kingston Base
Permits: Ontario heritage legislation applies — artifact removal prohibited
Dive Support: Kingston dive shops and charter operators
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No lives lost. No known memorials. Local archives (Kingston, ON) hold ownership and crew records.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The schooner Eureka, laden with coal, was driven upon the rocks near Pigeon Island during the gale of Monday night. Her crew escaped, but the vessel is a total loss.” — Kingston Daily News, November 1883
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Originally registered in Lewiston, NY (1858), transferred to Toledo (1860). Canadian registry established Kingston (1874). Final enrollment canceled after loss in 1883. Insured, but records of payout not yet located.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The wreck has been extensively documented through diving, video surveys, and 3D photogrammetry models, available via 3D Shipwrecks and Sketchfab.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- 3D Shipwrecks — Eureka Project
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
- Historic Newspaper Reports
- Eureka 3D Models on Sketchfab
References
- Kingston Daily News, November 1883 — storm and loss report
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes — vessel data
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU) — registry and ownership
- 3D Shipwrecks Project — photogrammetry documentation
POW Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: 46229 (Canada)
Coordinates: 44° 4.091′ N / 76° 35.215′ W
Depth: 121 ft (37 m)
Location Description: Near Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 102 × 24 × 9.5 ft (31.1 × 7.3 × 2.9 m); 152 GRT
Condition: Upright, largely intact hull
Cause of Loss: Storm, abandoned by crew
Discovery Date: Located 1980s
Discovered By: Local divers
Method: Dive survey & photogrammetry
Legal Notes: Protected under Ontario heritage law
Hazards: Depth, cold water, currents
Permits Required: Yes, for archaeological work