Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Gulnare
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: J. Abbey, Port Robinson, Ontario
- Dimensions: 142 ft (43.3 m) long × 24 ft (7.3 m) beam × 11 ft (3.4 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: 325 GRT
- Location: Just east of Ashtabula Harbour breakwater, Ohio
- Official Number: C71157
- Original Owners: T. Myles & Sons, Hamilton, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Three-masted wooden schooner, bulk freighter.
Description
Built in 1873, the Gulnare was a 325 GRT schooner designed to haul heavy cargo like coal and grindstones. Her structure supported Great Lakes bulk trade, and she operated under Canadian ownership with cross-border shipments.
History
The Gulnare served across the Great Lakes, traversing between Ontario and U.S. ports. On July 15, 1892, laden with coal and grindstones, she became stranded near Ashtabula harbor (Lake Erie) during a storm. The skipper unfairly blamed the captain of a harbor tug for poor handling. Fortunately, all crew survived, spending about four harrowing hours perched in the rigging before rescue (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Earlier records show her stranded on Nov 5, 1890, at North Point Reef, Thunder Bay, Michigan (Lake Huron). Abandoned on Nov 12, she was later recovered—but details of that incident remain secondary to her final loss in 1892 (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Significant Incidents
- Stranded on November 5, 1890, at North Point, Thunder Bay, Michigan.
- Stranded on July 15, 1892, near Ashtabula Harbour, Ohio, during a storm.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss following the July 15, 1892 stranding. The vessel was abandoned, and no significant salvage noted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No archaeological surveys or dive investigations recorded; the wreck is considered unlocated.
Resources & Links
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The story of Gulnare illustrates recurring maritime hazards: her repeated strandings in separate Great Lakes highlight the perils of storms, navigation near harbor entrances, and the human element in ship handling. Though no crew lost, the schooner’s twin incidents—first in Lake Huron (1890) and final in Lake Erie (1892)—underscore vessel vulnerability and highlight the interconnectedness of Great Lakes shipping hazards and histories.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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