Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Halifax
- Type: Wooden Brigantine
- Year Built: 1851
- Builder: Unknown, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 200 tons (Old Measurement)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Mexico Bay, near Port Ontario, New York
- Coordinates: N43° 31.941′ W76° 13.867′
- Original Owners: J.L. Ranney
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A two-masted brigantine rig, Halifax was a medium-sized wooden cargo vessel, typical of the early 1850s. Brigantines were versatile and efficient for inland cargo transport, combining square sails on the foremast with fore-and-aft rigging on the mainmast, suitable for Lake Ontario’s variable winds.
Description
The Halifax was built for regional freight transport, primarily hauling staples like flour between Ontario and U.S. lake ports. At 200 tons, it was moderately sized, likely featuring a single cargo hold, modest crew quarters, and minimal superstructure. Wooden hull and spars were standard for its class and period.
History
Service Life:
Commissioned in 1851, the Halifax operated on Lake Ontario for three years, contributing to the regional economy by transporting bulk agricultural products.
Final Voyage (5 December 1854):
While carrying 2,800 barrels of flour from Toronto, Halifax was overtaken by a violent winter storm. Attempting to shelter off Little Sandy Creek, the brigantine’s anchors failed under heavy seas. It was driven ashore at Port Ontario, NY.
Despite the extreme weather and total loss of deck cargo, the crew survived, though several suffered severe frostbite. Newspapers, including the Buffalo Democracy, reported the wreck on 9 December 1854, with its destruction confirmed by early 1855.
Significant Incidents
- 5 December 1854: The Halifax was lost during a winter storm while carrying flour.
- Anchors failed, leading to grounding at Port Ontario, NY.
- Survivors reported severe frostbite among the crew.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss, the Halifax grounded and broke up in Mexico Bay. Damage from the storm and rocky shoreline was irreparable. Losses were valued at $10,000—a significant financial blow at the time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is known and accessible at N43° 31.941′ W76° 13.867′. There is no recorded modern “discovery” as it has remained charted and known locally since the 19th century.
The shallow site poses no navigation hazard but remains of interest to divers and maritime historians.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”halifax-1851″ title=”References & Links”]
The Halifax stands as an early example of commercial loss on Lake Ontario, emphasizing the vulnerability of mid-19th century shipping to severe weather. The intact remnants in shallow water near Port Ontario offer a rare, accessible dive to explore Canada-U.S. trade history firsthand.
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.
HALIFAX (1851)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Halifax
- Year Built: 1851
- Builder: Unknown, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Owner: J.L. Ranney
- Vessel Type: Wooden Brigantine
- Tonnage: 200 tons (Old Measurement)
- Masts: 2
- Decks: 1
- Final Location: Mexico Bay, Lake Ontario, near Port Ontario, New York
- Coordinates: N43° 31.941′ W76° 13.867′
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m (10 ft)
Vessel Type
A two-masted brigantine rig, Halifax was a medium-sized wooden cargo vessel, typical of the early 1850s. Brigantines were versatile and efficient for inland cargo transport, combining square sails on the foremast with fore-and-aft rigging on the mainmast, suitable for Lake Ontario’s variable winds.
Description
The Halifax was built for regional freight transport, primarily hauling staples like flour between Ontario and U.S. lake ports. At 200 tons, it was moderately sized, likely featuring a single cargo hold, modest crew quarters, and minimal superstructure. Wooden hull and spars were standard for its class and period.
History
Service Life:
Commissioned in 1851, the Halifax operated on Lake Ontario for three years, contributing to the regional economy by transporting bulk agricultural products.
Final Voyage (5 December 1854):
While carrying 2,800 barrels of flour from Toronto, Halifax was overtaken by a violent winter storm. Attempting to shelter off Little Sandy Creek, the brigantine’s anchors failed under heavy seas. It was driven ashore at Port Ontario, NY.
Despite the extreme weather and total loss of deck cargo, the crew survived, though several suffered severe frostbite. Newspapers, including the Buffalo Democracy, reported the wreck on 9 December 1854, with its destruction confirmed by early 1855.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss, the Halifax grounded and broke up in Mexico Bay. Damage from the storm and rocky shoreline was irreparable. Losses were valued at $10,000—a significant financial blow at the time.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck site is known and accessible at N43° 31.941′ W76° 13.867′. There is no recorded modern “discovery” as it has remained charted and known locally since the 19th century.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. The shallow site poses no navigation hazard but remains of interest to divers and maritime historians.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Newspaper Archives – Buffalo Democracy coverage, December 1854
Shore Dive Information
- Shore Access Location: Port Ontario, NY
- Entry Type: Beach/small boat launch
- Depth Range: ~3 m (10 ft)
- Current & Conditions: Generally calm; fair visibility in summer months
- Points of Interest: Hull remnants, fasteners, potential flour barrel debris field
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Safety & Emergency Info:
- Nearest hospital: Oswego Hospital, Oswego, NY
- Emergency: 911 (U.S.)
- U.S. Coast Guard – Sector Buffalo (VHF Ch. 16)
- Local Regulations: Standard New York State dive regulations apply
- Best Time to Dive: June to September
- Driving Directions: Google Maps | Apple Maps
- Additional Resources: Local dive groups, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Conclusion
The Halifax stands as an early example of commercial loss on Lake Ontario, emphasizing the vulnerability of mid-19th century shipping to severe weather. The intact remnants in shallow water near Port Ontario offer a rare, accessible dive to explore Canada-U.S. trade history firsthand.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Tags: Brigantine, Lake Ontario, wooden schooner, Port Ontario, cargo ship, flour trade, wreck diving
- Categories: 19th Century Wrecks, Shallow Water Sites, Canadian-Built Ships
- Glossary: Brigantine, Tonnage (Old Measurement), Deck Load, Frostbite Risk, Gale Grounding