J.C. Daun

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: J.C. Daun
• Type: Wooden schooner (2 masts)
• Year Built: 1847
• Builder:
• Dimensions: 106 × 24 × 9 ft
• Registered Tonnage: ~210 tons
• Location: Anchored off Rondeau, Lake Erie, Ontario
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

A mid–19th century coastal schooner constructed with oak framing and pine planking. Typical dimensions for its class were around 106 × 24 × 9 ft. These vessels commonly carried barrel staves and other light cargo between Ontario and U.S. ports.

Description

The J.C. Daun was a wooden schooner designed for coastal trade, featuring two masts and built primarily for transporting light cargo such as staves. Her construction reflects the shipbuilding practices of the mid-1800s, utilizing durable materials suited for the Great Lakes.

History

• On July 7, 1848, J.C. Daun anchored offshore Rondeau Harbour to ride out worsening storm conditions. However, her anchors dragged in strong winds, dragging the vessel onto nearby shallows where she grounded and became stranded.
• The crew subsequently abandoned the vessel. Within a few days, J.C. Daun was declared a total loss and turned over to underwriters—no salvage was recorded.
• There are no reports of further incidents or salvage; the wreck was not refloated or rebuilt.

Significant Incidents

• Anchored in a break-in storm, the vessel’s two anchors failed to hold in the fluctuating wind and wave action.
• After dragging, she grounded on shoals off Rondeau and was pounded by surf until refloating was impossible.
• The crew escaped intact; the vessel then became a constructive total loss shortly thereafter.

Final Disposition

The J.C. Daun was declared a total loss shortly after grounding. The vessel was not salvaged, and there are no records of recovery efforts. It remains a wreck site off Rondeau, illustrating the hazards of maritime navigation in stormy conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it has not been salvaged or refloated since its grounding. Accessibility for divers may vary based on local conditions and regulations.

Resources & Links

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The J.C. Daun represents a class of mid–19th century coastal schooners critical to Ontario’s timber and barrel industries. Her loss off Rondeau illustrates the hazard posed by summer squalls and the unreliability of anchorages in shallow harbours. While the vessel itself was deemed a total loss, the crew avoided serious harm. Further archival research could recover vessel and crew records, enriching understanding of early Ontario maritime commerce.