Flora Watson (1854)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Flora Watson
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1854
• Builder: Milan, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 290 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 9.14 m / 30 ft
• Location: 2 miles from the mouth of the Niagara River
• Coordinates: Approximately 2 miles from the mouth of the Niagara River
• Official Number: None (U.S.-built vessel)
• Original Owners: Unknown
• Number of Masts: Three-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Flora Watson was a three-masted wooden schooner, primarily engaged in the Great Lakes grain trade.

Description

The Flora Watson was built in 1854 in Milan, Ohio. She was primarily used for transporting grain between major shipping hubs such as Toledo, Oswego, and Buffalo.

History

The Flora Watson played a crucial role in the 19th-century agricultural exports, linking Ohio’s agriculture with New York’s export markets.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: November 2, 1862
• Time: Around 4:00 AM
• Location: 2 miles from the mouth of the Niagara River, Lake Ontario
• Cause: Collision with schooner Harriet Ross
• Cargo at Loss: Grain
• Loss of Life: None

Final Disposition

The Flora Watson sank in 24-30 feet of water after colliding with the Harriet Ross. The crew survived, but the vessel and its cargo were lost.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is approximately 2 miles from the mouth of the Niagara River in Lake Ontario, at a depth of 24-30 feet. The wooden hull has likely deteriorated over time, but artifacts, rigging, and cargo remnants may still exist on the lakebed.

Resources & Links

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The Flora Watson (1854) represents the risks of maritime trade in high-traffic shipping corridors. Her shallow-water wreck site remains an intriguing target for historical research and possible exploration.