Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Gales
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1879
- Builder: J & W Scott at Mitchell’s Bay, Ontario
- Dimensions: 70 ft (21.34 m); Beam: 16 ft; Depth of hold: 5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 42 gross / 42 net tons
- Location: Carried ashore at Wallaceburg, Ontario — St. Clair River
- Official Number: C78032
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
John Gales was a modest Great Lakes schooner employed in low-volume coastal or river-based trade typical of late 19th-century Ontario maritime operations. At just 42 gross tons and relatively small dimensions, she served local routes along the St. Clair River and adjacent ports.
Description
Built in 1879 at Mitchell’s Bay, Ontario by J & W Scott, John Gales operated primarily in the St. Clair River corridor through Wallaceburg and nearby communities. While operational records are sparse, she remained active until 1907, when she was swept ashore in a spring freshet—a natural flood event common in the region. By that time, she was deemed too old and of insufficient value to warrant salvage; thus she was abandoned and dismantled on-site.
History
During a spring flood in 1907, John Gales was carried ashore onto the riverbank at Wallaceburg. With no salvage recovery, she remained where she came to rest and was systematically dismantled by local interests.
Significant Incidents
- No loss of life reported.
Final Disposition
There is no record of modern discovery, identification, or underwater survey of this wreck. It remains undocumented in any archaeological or dive databases.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No Notices to Mariners or official hazard advisories are known relating to this vessel. Scouring of period bulletins yielded no additional notices.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-gales-c-78032″ title=”References & Links”]
While the loss of John Gales left minimal archival footprint, her case illustrates the fate of small river schooners during flood events in early 20th-century Ontario. Though devoid of archaeological documentation, the wreck underscores climate-related risks to low-value vessels. Further research might uncover contemporary local newspaper accounts (e.g., Wallaceburg Herald) or municipal records for more depth.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Wooden Two-Masted Schooner, Carried Ashore by Spring Freshet — St. Clair River, Ontario
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: John Gales
- Official Number: C78032 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type at Loss: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1879 by J & W Scott at Mitchell’s Bay, Ontario (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Hull Dimensions: 70 ft (length) × 16 ft (beam) × 5 ft (depth); 42 gross/42 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of Loss: In spring 1907 (exact date unrecorded) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Location: Carried ashore at Wallaceburg, Ontario — St. Clair River (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cause of Loss: Spring flood/freshet carried the vessel ashore; due to advanced age and low value she was abandoned in place and dismantled (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo: None recorded
- Loss of Life: None reported (goderich.ca, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type Description
John Gales was a modest Great Lakes schooner employed in low-volume coastal or river-based trade typical of late 19th-century Ontario maritime operations. At just 42 gross tons and relatively small dimensions, she served local routes along the St. Clair River and adjacent ports.
History & Chronology
Built in 1879 at Mitchell’s Bay, Ontario by J & W Scott, John Gales operated primarily in the St. Clair River corridor through Wallaceburg and nearby communities. While operational records are sparse, she remained active until 1907, when she was swept ashore in a spring freshet—a natural flood event common in the region. By that time, she was deemed too old and of insufficient value to warrant salvage; thus she was abandoned and dismantled on-site (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
During a spring flood in 1907, John Gales was carried ashore onto the riverbank at Wallaceburg. With no salvage recovery, she remained where she came to rest and was systematically dismantled by local interests.
Located By & Date Found
There is no record of modern discovery, identification, or underwater survey of this wreck. It remains undocumented in any archaeological or dive databases.
Notmars & Advisories
No Notices to Mariners or official hazard advisories are known relating to this vessel. Scouring of period bulletins yielded no additional notices.
Resources & Links
| Reference | Description |
|---|---|
| Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – “John Gales” Profile | Core data: build, official number, dimensions, loss details, location, and cause (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) |
Keywords & Glossary Terms
St. Clair River, paper flood/freshet wreck, small schooner, local river commerce, 1907 incident
Overview
While the loss of John Gales left minimal archival footprint, her case illustrates the fate of small river schooners during flood events in early 20th‑century Ontario. Though devoid of archaeological documentation, the wreck underscores climate-related risks to low‑value vessels. Further research might uncover contemporary local newspaper accounts (e.g., Wallaceburg Herald) or municipal records for more depth. Let me know if you’d like assistance locating those next.
john-gales-c-78032 1907-03-25 10:29:00