Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Joshua Eaton
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Charlotte, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 3,500 bushels of wheat or around $40 worth of coal
- Location: Beach near Goderich, Ontario
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: N/A
- Original Owners: Burns & Fancomb of Rochester, NY
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Joshua Eaton was a wooden two-masted schooner, designed for coastal freight transport. It was capable of carrying approximately 3,500 bushels of wheat or around $40 worth of coal.
Description
The vessel was built in 1856 in Charlotte, New York. It was primarily used for transporting goods between U.S. and Canadian ports, reflecting the regional trade practices of the mid-19th century.
History
Joshua Eaton’s final voyage was bound for Toronto from Cleveland, laden with coal. The ship encountered a severe storm that forced it ashore near Goderich, Ontario, where it initially remained stuck with minimal damage. However, on November 24, a massive gale destroyed the vessel entirely, breaking it apart and declaring it a total wreck.
Significant Incidents
- A severe storm forced the Joshua Eaton ashore, where she remained stuck with minimal damage initially.
- On November 24, a massive gale destroyed her entirely on the beach—she was broken apart and declared a total wreck.
- At the time of loss, the owner was Burns & Fancomb of Rochester, NY; the master was Captain John Burns.
Final Disposition
The wreck of Joshua Eaton was declared a total loss after the gale on November 24, 1860. The wooden hull has long since been destroyed, but metal fittings, fasteners, anchors, or debris may persist in sediment or along the shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The site is located near the Goderich harbour breakwater, where the remains may have been washed into the beach or nearshore shallow water. A survey plan could include shoreline and nearshore magnetometer sweeps to detect iron elements and low-tide beach combing for small wreckage fragments.
Resources & Links
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Joshua Eaton serves as a reminder of the perils of navigation on Lake Huron, particularly during the fall months. Its loss highlights the vulnerability of grounded vessels to secondary weather events.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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