Hartford – Lake Ontario Schooner Shipwreck (1894)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Hartford
• Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: Linn & Co., Gibraltar, Michigan (Master Carpenter: Morgan)
• Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 323 tons, Net: 307 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 12 m / 40 ft
• Location: Mexico Bay, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: [TBD]
• Official Number: 95229
• Original Owners: G.H. McKinley, W.H. Consaul, and Capt. William O'Toole (Clayton, NY)
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Hartford was a three-masted wooden schooner designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Its construction featured a traditional shoal-draft design, suitable for navigating the varied waters of the Great Lakes.

Description

The Hartford was purpose-built for grain transport, with a single deck and large hold. Its wide beam provided enhanced capacity and stability, making it ideal for carrying bulk cargo such as wheat.

History

Launched in 1873, the Hartford primarily operated out of Oswego and Clayton, New York. Throughout its service, it experienced several maritime incidents, including grounding in 1874 and a collision in 1876. Ownership changed over the years, ultimately leading to a final group based in Clayton, NY, under the command of Capt. William O’Toole. The vessel typically transported wheat, coal, and general cargo between ports on Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario.

Significant Incidents

• Grounded in 1874 at Lime Kiln Crossing, Detroit River.
• Collided with another vessel in Chicago in 1876.

Final Disposition

On 12 October 1894, while en route from Detroit to Cape Vincent with 22,000 bushels of wheat, the Hartford encountered a violent storm in Mexico Bay. Attempts to anchor failed, and the vessel broke apart under the storm’s force. All seven crew members, including Capt. O’Toole and his family, were lost. The vessel was uninsured, although the cargo was covered for $13,000.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Hartford was likely rediscovered by local divers or the New York State Office of General Services during hydrographic surveys. Current imaging was documented in 2022, revealing a largely flattened structure with visible hull outlines and rigging elements. Divers should exercise caution due to structural deterioration and potential entanglement hazards.

Resources & Links

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The Hartford remains a significant historical site, representing the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes. Its tragic loss serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors in the region.