Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.G. McGrath
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: Louis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 104 ft (31.7 m); Beam: 25.5 ft (7.8 m); Depth of hold: 10.5 ft (3.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 217 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 27 m / 90 ft
- Location: Lake Erie, near Long Point, approximately 20 miles off the coast
- Coordinates: N 42° 40.076′, W 79° 23.78′
- Original Owners: Louis Shickluna (1870-1874), Glenn (1874-1877), H.C. Dunlop (1877)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.G. McGrath was a single-deck wooden schooner designed for transporting bulk cargo on the Great Lakes.
Description
The J.G. McGrath was a single-deck wooden schooner designed for transporting bulk cargo on the Great Lakes.
- Dimensions (as built):
- Length: 104 feet (31.7 meters)
- Beam: 25.5 feet (7.8 meters)
- Depth: 10.5 feet (3.2 meters)
- Dimensions (updated 1877):
- Length: 105 feet (32 meters)
- Beam: 22.5 feet (6.9 meters)
- Depth: 10.2 feet (3.1 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 217 tons
- Capacity: 13,000 bushels
History
Builder: Louis Shickluna, a renowned shipbuilder, constructed the vessel in 1870 in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
Final Voyage and Tragedy:
Final Disposition
Wreck Depth: 150 feet (46 meters).
The schooner remains submerged near Long Point in Lake Erie, preserving its historical significance and serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck serves as an underwater time capsule for maritime archaeologists and divers interested in exploring the legacy of Great Lakes shipping. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to leave the site better than they found it.
Resources & Links
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The J.G. McGrath was a product of one of the most prolific shipbuilders of the 19th century and served its purpose diligently until its tragic loss in 1878. Its story is a testament to the resilience of the sailors who braved the Great Lakes, and its wreckage remains a poignant marker of the region’s maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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