Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George Davis
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1846
- Builder: S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~111 ft (33.83 m) length × 24 ft (7.32 m) beam × 10 ft (3.05 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: approx. 238 tons burden
- Location: Near Port Burwell, Ontario
- Original Owners: Enrolled at Chicago on April 8, 1863
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, designed for cargo transport.
Description
The George Davis was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner built in 1846. It was primarily used for transporting cargo, specifically salt, on its route from Oswego to Chicago.
History
Built by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio, the George Davis was registered in Chicago in April 1863. The vessel was engaged in trade between Lake Ontario and Chicago, carrying salt as its primary cargo.
Significant Incidents
- Cause: Grounding in foggy conditions or navigational error.
- Location: Near Port Burwell, Ontario, along Lake Erie.
- Fate: Driven ashore and declared a total loss—no effort to salvage underway.
- Casualties: None reported—crew survived the grounding.
Final Disposition
The George Davis was declared a total loss after grounding near Port Burwell. The remains of the vessel were abandoned and never salvaged, aligning with records from the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it was never salvaged and remains abandoned.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-davis-1846″ title=”References & Links”]
Overall, the George Davis serves as a historical reminder of the maritime trade in the mid-19th century and the navigational challenges faced by vessels during that era.
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.
(Wooden Two‑Masted Schooner, built 1846; lost October 1863)
Vessel Identification & Details
- Built: 1846 by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio
- Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Dimensions: ~111 ft length × 24 ft beam × 10 ft depth; approx. 238 tons burden
- Route: En route from Oswego (Lake Ontario) to Chicago
- Cargo: Salt
- Homeport: Enrolled at Chicago on April 8, 1863
Incident Overview (October 1863)
- Cause: Grounding in foggy conditions or navigational error
- Location: Near Port Burwell, Ontario, along Lake Erie
- Fate: Driven ashore and declared a total loss—no effort to salvage underway
- Casualties: None reported—crew survived the grounding
Summary
Built in 1846 and registered in Chicago in 1863, the George Davis was a mid‑19th-century schooner carrying salt on a voyage from Oswego to Chicago. During October 1863, she went ashore near Port Burwell, Ontario—likely due to navigational errors in foggy conditions—resulting in a complete loss of the vessel but no loss of life. The remains were abandoned and never salvaged. This account aligns with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files “D” section entry: “Bound Oswego for Chicago, she went ashore and was reported a total loss.”
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Aspect | Next Steps / Sources |
|---|---|
| Exact loss date | Search local newspapers (Port Burwell Beacon, Port Rowan Globe) for October 1863 |
| Crew list & rescue details | Enrollment or crew logs may list persons aboard |
| Confirmation with shipping manifests | Oswego & Chicago customs/ports may hold departure/arrival data |
| Weather and navigation info | Fog or gale context—check NOAA historical weather records or navigation notices |
| Wreck disposition | Harbor or insurance records may indicate any debris removal or salvage |
- Pull October 1863 newspaper records from Ontario for further incident details?
- Access HCGL enrollment files to verify crew and ownership?
- Look into weather archives (fog conditions) for that period near Port Burwell?