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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →