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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”joshua-eaton-1856″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Joshua Eaton
- Built: 1856, Charlotte, New York
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner, small—capable of carrying approximately 3,500 bushels of wheat or around $40 worth of coal
- Final Voyage: Bound Cleveland→Toronto, laden with coal
- Loss Location: Beach near Goderich, Ontario, on Lake Huron
- Loss Date: Autumn 1860 (exact date uncertain; reported as September)
- Casualties: None—crew all survived
Incident & Sinking Circumstances
- A severe storm forced the Joshua Eaton ashore, where she remained stuck with minimal damage initially.
- However, 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 ([turn0search2]).
Archival & Research Gaps
To produce a fully-documented historical record, the following research would be essential:
- Precise Loss Date
While the November 24 gale is noted, the crew may have initially grounded in September 1860—archival weather logs and newspapers could clarify the sequence. - Construction & Enrollment Details
Check U.S. Customs enrollment records (1856, Charlotte NY) for vessel dimensions, official tonnage, master’s registry, and ownership. - Crew Roster & Fate
Enrollment or crew lists may identify all hands on board; also supporting post-grounding survival and expenses. - Local Press & Rescue Accounts
1860 issues of Goderich Signal, Toronto Globe/Evening Telegram, or Rochester Union & Advertiser likely recorded grounding and storm destruction events. - Salvage or Legal Findings
Insights may reside in Insurance records, Rochester marine court, or port logs for beach salvage operations.
Wreck & Field Survey Potential
- Site Location: Near Goderich harbour breakwater; likely remains washed into beach or nearshore shallow water.
- Remains Condition: Wooden hull long since destroyed—but metal fittings, fasteners, anchors, or debris may persist in sediment or shoreline.
- Survey Plan:
- Shoreline and nearshore magnetometer sweeps to detect iron elements.
- Low-tide beach combing for small wreckage fragments.
- Archival chart comparison to locate grounding site for targeted survey.
Historical & Maritime Significance
- As a small coastal schooner used in mid-19th-century freight runs, Joshua Eaton reflects regional trade practices—especially coal and grain transport between U.S. and Canadian ports.
- Her demise during a storm-assisted grounding and subsequent gale highlights the perils of early fall navigation on Lake Huron.
- Though she was initially stranded, her final destruction weeks later underscores vulnerability of grounded vessels to secondary weather events.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archival Requests
- U.S. Customs/Port of Charlotte enrollment records (1856)
- Newspaper search in Goderich, Toronto, and Rochester for September–December 1860
- Insurance and Legal Records
- Rochester marine court and local underwriter files for wreck claims
- Field Survey Preparation
- Plan a shoreline reconnaissance near Goderich Breakwater for magnetic anomaly survey
- Local Historical Collaboration
- Consult Goderich Marine Heritage Committee or Huron County Museum on recorded wreck memory