Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kincardine
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Kincardine, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Kincardine was a wooden schooner, likely used for hauling lumber or bulk cargoes such as salt. Built in 1871, it served the shipping needs of the Great Lakes.
Description
The schooner Kincardine foundered near Kincardine, Ontario, around June 2, 1892, after grounding in dense fog. The vessel’s hull began to break apart in the surf, leading to its eventual loss.
History
The Kincardine was en route with salt barrels, possibly from Collingwood or Goderich toward Lake Ontario destinations. The grounding occurred in foggy conditions, which impaired navigation.
Significant Incidents
- Weather & Conditions: Encountered dense fog, which impaired navigation and contributed to grounding.
- Event: Stranded on the shoreline of Lake Huron, likely near Kincardine, Ontario; the hull began to break apart in surf.
- Cargo Salvage: Majority of the salt barrels were successfully salvaged in the days following.
- Fire: Subsequently suffered a cargo hold fire, leading to total loss of the vessel’s wooden structure.
Final Disposition
After the grounding, much of the Kincardine’s cargo was recovered, but the vessel later caught fire, leaving no significant wreck behind.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Kincardine wreck is uncertain, as it was reported to have burned completely after the grounding, leaving little to no remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kincardine” title=”References & Links”]
The Kincardine serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the Great Lakes, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Research opportunities remain for those interested in uncovering more about its history and the events surrounding its loss.
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.
(Lumber or salt schooner, built 1871; lost June 2, 1892)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type: Wooden schooner, built 1871; likely used for hauling lumber or bulk cargoes such as salt
- Loss Date: Approx. early June 1892—most records point to June 2, while some accounts reference broader early June timeframe
- Route: En route with salt barrels, possibly from Collingwood or Gooderich toward Lake Ontario destinations
(GlSKA, Sarah Chisholm Fine Art & Photography, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- Weather & Conditions: Encountered dense fog, which impaired navigation and contributed to grounding
- Event: Stranded on the shoreline of Lake Huron—specific locale likely near Kincardine, Ontario—the hull began to break apart in surf
- Cargo Salvage: Majority of the salt barrels were successfully salvaged in the days following
- Fire: Subsequently suffered a cargo hold fire, leading to total loss of the vessel’s wooden structure
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary
The schooner Kincardine, built in 1871, foundered near Kincardine, Ontario, around June 2, 1892, after grounding in foggy conditions. After drifting apart in the surf, much of her cargo (salt) was recovered, but she later caught fire, leaving no significant wreck behind.
Research Opportunities
| Topic | Why It Matters | Potential Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Exact grounding location | Enables precise mapping and possible dive exploration | Local newspapers, harbor logs of Kincardine (June 1892) |
| Crew status & casualties | Adds human context to the maritime event | Canadian press archives, Coast Guard logs |
| Fire origin & spread | Clarifies whether the fire was accidental or ignited by cargo | Local papers, firefighting records |
| Wreck removal or remains | Indicates whether any remnants remain visible today | Port authority salvage documents, museum collections |
- Accessing June 1892 Kincardine-area newspapers for first-hand reports
- Checking harbor master logs and Coast Guard documentation for grounding and salvage
- Investigating archival photos or early dive reports for visual confirmation of remains