Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.C. Wheeler
- Type: Two-Masted Schooner
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: Waterburg, Port Dover, Ontario
- Dimensions: 123 ft (37.5 m) x 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 253 tons
- Location: Salmon Point, Lake Ontario
- Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
- Original Owners: Lee & Waters
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.C. Wheeler was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, designed for bulk cargo transport, particularly in the lumber trade, which was a significant industry in the mid-19th century Great Lakes economy.
Description
Launched in 1854 at Port Dover, Ontario, the J.C. Wheeler was a sturdy schooner built to handle the demands of transporting heavy cargoes across Lake Ontario and other Great Lakes. The vessel underwent major repairs in 1861, indicating her value to her owners and continued use in the busy maritime trade routes of the time.
History
Owned by Lee & Waters of Port Dover, the J.C. Wheeler was primarily involved in the lumber trade, a crucial industry that fueled the construction booms in rapidly growing cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The schooner operated between various ports, carrying lumber and other bulk goods to shipyards and urban centers.
On October 9, 1864, while en route to the Calvin & Breck Shipyard in Kingston, Ontario, the J.C. Wheeler encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario. The storm drove the schooner ashore at Salmon Point, a known hazardous area for mariners due to its shallow waters and exposure to sudden weather changes.
Despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel was heavily damaged upon grounding. Attempts to salvage the schooner were made in the days following the wreck, but the extent of the damage, combined with the challenging conditions at Salmon Point, rendered these efforts unsuccessful. By the end of October 1864, the J.C. Wheeler was abandoned as a total loss.
Significant Incidents
Loss of Life: There are no recorded fatalities associated with the wreck of the J.C. Wheeler. The crew likely managed to escape the vessel after it went aground, which was not uncommon in such incidents where the grounding occurred close to shore.
Final Disposition
The J.C. Wheeler was wrecked at Salmon Point, Lake Ontario, and declared a total loss after failed salvage attempts. The vessel was abandoned later in October 1864.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return.
Resources & Links
The loss of the J.C. Wheeler reflects the ever-present risks faced by schooners navigating Lake Ontario during the mid-19th century. The vessel’s involvement in the lumber trade highlights the economic importance of schooners in fueling the growth and development of Ontario’s shipyards and urban centers. Despite undergoing major repairs in 1861, the schooner’s life came to an end just three years later, underscoring the unpredictable and often harsh nature of Great Lakes shipping. The failure of salvage efforts at Salmon Point illustrates the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners and salvors when confronted with severe weather and treacherous shoreline conditions.