Henry Doville (H. Dovell, Doveil)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Henry Doville (also known as H. Dovell, Doveil)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1844
• Builder: H. Doville in Big Sodus, NY
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 67 tons
• Location: Off Oak Orchard, NY, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: [GPS coordinates currently unavailable]
• Original Owners: Wm Hunter & Co., Sodus, NY
• Number of Masts: Two masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Henry Doville was a classic wooden schooner with fore-and-aft rigging on two masts, a design highly valued for its maneuverability and speed. Its relatively modest size and 67-ton capacity made it ideal for transporting medium-sized loads, such as grain, across the Great Lakes. This vessel type was an integral part of mid-19th-century commerce, allowing for efficient cargo transportation between ports.

Description

Construction and Purpose: Built in 1844 by its namesake in Big Sodus, NY, the Henry Doville was one of many schooners that sustained the bustling maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Operating out of Oswego, NY, the ship served a vital role in moving essential goods like wheat, coal, and lumber between the ports.

Final Voyage: On October 18, 1855, while en route from Toronto to Oswego with a cargo of approximately 4,000 bushels of wheat, the Henry Doville encountered a powerful storm on Lake Ontario near Oak Orchard, NY. The storm inflicted severe damage on the vessel, causing it to leak uncontrollably. Despite the crew’s efforts to manage the crisis, the ship succumbed to the storm’s ferocity and sank. All crew members tragically lost their lives, a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors during the region’s storm-prone autumn months.

History

The wreck of the Henry Doville has not yet been located. Its final resting place remains a mystery, continuing to intrigue maritime historians and underwater archaeologists.

Significant Incidents

• October 18, 1855: The Henry Doville sank during a storm on Lake Ontario, resulting in the loss of all crew members.

Final Disposition

The Henry Doville represents the hazards faced by Great Lakes mariners in the mid-19th century, particularly during stormy seasons. The tragedy of its loss and the ongoing mystery of its wreck location emphasize the challenging nature of maritime operations in the Great Lakes region.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Henry Doville remains undiscovered, making it a subject of interest for historians and shipwreck hunters.

Resources & Links

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The Henry Doville remains a topic of significant interest for historians and shipwreck hunters alike, symbolizing the dangers of maritime travel in the Great Lakes.