Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady Macdonald
- Type: Wooden bark (three-masted)
- Year Built: circa 1873
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Above Cobourg, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden bark, three-masted.
Description
The Lady Macdonald was a wooden bark built around 1873, primarily used for general freight, likely including lumber and sundries. Her home port was Kingston, Ontario.
History
The Lady Macdonald was constructed in the mid-1870s, as suggested by registry rarity. She was engaged in transporting general freight until her final voyage.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: On July 16, 1892, during a near-hurricane force windstorm, the Lady Macdonald was driven ashore above Cobourg, Ontario, along Lake Ontario’s north shore.
- Outcome: The vessel was wrecked ashore and declared a total loss, with no casualties noted.
- Estimated Loss: Approximately $3,500 in 1892 dollars.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Lady Macdonald was confirmed by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, which also noted the high-wind incident and loss value.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck site is not extensively documented, and further research may be needed to assess its current condition and accessibility.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-macdonald-1873″ title=”References & Links”]
For those interested in the Lady Macdonald, archival records can be found at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, which maintains extensive files on Ontario-built bark vessels.
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.
(wooden bark, ~1873–1892)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Type: Wooden bark (three-masted)
- Built: circa 1873 (registry rarity suggests mid-1870s construction)
- Home Port: Kingston, Ontario
- Cargo: General freight—likely lumber and sundries
Final Voyage & Wreck – July 16, 1892
- Date & Weather: July 16, 1892 – during a near‑hurricane force windstorm
- Location: Driven ashore “above Cobourg,” Ontario, along Lake Ontario’s north shore
- Outcome: Wrecked ashore and declared a total loss; no casualties noted
- Estimated Loss: ~$3,500 in 1892 dollars (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Archival & Historical Context
- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Files confirm the high-wind wrecking incident and loss value (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- For vessel-dedicated records, consult the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston (located in the historic Kingston Dry Dock site) – they maintain extensive archival files on Ontario-built bark vessels (Wikipedia).
Suggested Primary Sources to Expand the Profile
- Cobourg & Port Hope Newspapers (July 1892): Look for coverage of the wreck, eyewitness accounts, and salvage efforts.
- Marine Insurance Records (Kingston): Underwriter documents might include cargo valuation, hull damage, and ownership information.
- Museum Archives (Kingston): The Marine Museum and Kingston Dry Dock archives may hold:
- Build plans or registry details for the Lady Macdonald
- Correspondence, photographs, or salvage work logs related to her wreck
- Context on the 1892 storm and other sailer losses in Lake Ontario
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Type | Wooden bark, three-masted |
| Home Port | Kingston, Ontario |
| Wreck Date | July 16, 1892 |
| Wreck Location | Above Cobourg, Ontario (Lake Ontario) |
| Cause | Driven ashore by near-hurricane winds |
| Casualties | None recorded |
| Estimated Loss | ~$3,500 CAD (1892) |