Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Frontier City
- Type: Wooden brig (two-masted)
- Year Built: 1860
- Builder: Constructed on hull of brig Canton
- Dimensions: Unknown; likely under 200 tons typical for period
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2 ft
- Location: Lake Huron, near Kincardine, Ontario
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Unknown; records not located
- Original Owners: Skipper (also owner); name unrecorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A two-masted wooden brig built in 1860 using the hull of the earlier brig Canton. Built for regional freight in the Great Lakes, though exact dimensions, construction details, and structural rigging specifics are not documented.
Description
The Frontier City was constructed for coastal trading in Lake Huron. The vessel was driven ashore during a strong westerly gale on 29 October 1861, leading to its abandonment.
History
The operational history of the Frontier City is largely undocumented; it is presumed to have served regional freight routes on Lake Huron during its short life. The final voyage likely involved coastal trading. The vessel was abandoned after grounding in very shallow water (~2 ft).
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on 29 October 1861 during a strong westerly gale near Kincardine, Ontario.
- All crew members survived the incident.
Final Disposition
The grounding left the brig exposed and uninhabitable; it broke up over time and was declared a total loss. No salvage, registry surrender, or official abandonment print appears in accessible sources.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known discovery or wreck site survey has been conducted. The vessel remains unlocated in official databases and may have left minimal or scattered remnants in shallow coastal areas.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”frontier-city-1860″ title=”References & Links”]
The Frontier City serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, with its loss highlighting the dangers faced by vessels during severe weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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