Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: JOSEPHINE
- Type: Wooden brig, two-masted
- Year Built: 1845
- Builder: Oswego, NY
- Dimensions: Approximately 175 tons
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 175 tons
- Location: Off Port Burwell, Ontario
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: None
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden brig, two-masted
Description
The JOSEPHINE was a mid-19th century brig constructed in Oswego, New York. Brigs like the JOSEPHINE were commonly used for cargo transport across the Great Lakes during this era.
History
The JOSEPHINE was reportedly driven onto a reef by a sudden, intense storm known as a white squall and was destroyed. There is some ambiguity in historical records, as a vessel named JOSEPHINE was also reported ashore and wrecked near Dunkirk, NY, in 1845 or 1848, and another with the same name went missing on Lake Ontario in March 1854. Given the popularity of the name “Josephine” among schooners of that period, it’s unclear if these accounts refer to the same vessel.
Significant Incidents
- Reportedly driven onto a reef by a storm.
- Conflicting reports of other vessels named Josephine wrecked or missing around the same time.
Final Disposition
Total loss due to storm damage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No records available regarding the current condition or discovery of the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”josephine-1845″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the JOSEPHINE serves as a reminder of the perils faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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