Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Lady Moulton (G. J. Whitney) C 33574

Explore the history of the Lady Moulton, a wooden schooner lost in Lake Ontario, and discover its intriguing past and the challenges faced by 19th-century Great Lakes navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: LADY MOULTON (originally G. J. WHITNEY)
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1857
  • Builder: Charlotte, New York
  • Dimensions: Length: 75 ft (22.9 m); Beam: 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 79 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 2.1 m / 7 ft
  • Location: Off Point Peter, Lake Ontario
  • Coordinates: Exact coordinates not specified.
  • Official Number: C 33574
  • Original Owners: Alex Keith of Bowmanville, Ontario (by 1878)
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The LADY MOULTON, originally named G. J. WHITNEY, was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in 1857 in Charlotte, New York. Built for the robust demands of Great Lakes cargo transport, the vessel featured a sturdy design typical of mid-19th-century shipbuilding. Its reliance on sails as the primary means of propulsion and its moderate size made it versatile for its trade routes. After being renamed LADY MOULTON and registered in Montreal, Quebec, in 1862, the schooner continued to serve as a vital link in regional commerce.

Description

The LADY MOULTON was a wooden schooner that exemplified the design and construction techniques of its time. With a length of 75 feet and a beam of 19 feet, it was well-suited for the cargo transport needs of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s construction allowed it to navigate the often treacherous waters of the lakes, although it faced numerous challenges throughout its operational history.

History

The schooner’s career was fraught with incidents and challenges that reflected the hazards of navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

Key Historical Events:

  • 1857: Built in Charlotte, New York, and launched as G. J. WHITNEY. The vessel was reported lost on the east shore of Lake Michigan the same year but was later recovered.
  • 1862: Renamed LADY MOULTON and registered in Montreal, Quebec, marking a transition in ownership and continued service.
  • 1869 Collision: While en route to Cobourg from Ogdensburg, the schooner collided with the bark Sir Edmund W. Head. Poor visibility prompted a course adjustment by the LADY MOULTON, but the bark struck it, leaving the schooner in a sinking condition. The crew survived, though the vessel was abandoned and later salvaged.
  • 1878: By this time, ownership had passed to Alex Keith of Bowmanville, Ontario, under whose tenure the schooner continued its operations on the Great Lakes.
  • 1880 Foundering: The LADY MOULTON met its ultimate fate off Point Peter, Lake Ontario. Details surrounding the circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but it marked the end of the vessel’s operational life.

The schooner’s registry was officially closed on March 10, 1880, finalizing its story as a casualty of the Great Lakes’ treacherous waters.

Significant Incidents

The LADY MOULTON faced several significant incidents during its operational history:

  • 1869: Collision with the bark Sir Edmund W. Head, resulting in the vessel being abandoned.
  • 1880: Foundering off Point Peter, Lake Ontario, leading to its loss.

Final Disposition

The LADY MOULTON foundered off Point Peter in 1880. Despite its robust construction and history of recovery from prior incidents, it could not withstand the hazards of the lakes. The specific cause of the sinking remains undocumented, underscoring the uncertainties faced by vessels in that era.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The precise location of the wreck has not been determined, and modern documentation of the LADY MOULTON site is limited. The site remains of interest to maritime historians and potential underwater explorers. Divers and maritime enthusiasts exploring the area near Point Peter should consult regional navigational advisories for safety.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-moulton-g-j-whitney-c-33574″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The LADY MOULTON exemplifies the trials faced by wooden schooners on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its operational history—marked by collisions, changes in ownership, and eventual sinking—offers a window into the dynamic and often perilous nature of regional maritime trade. Despite its relatively small size, the schooner played an essential role in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The sinking of the LADY MOULTON near Point Peter adds to the lore of Lake Ontario’s many shipwrecks, underscoring the enduring fascination with Great Lakes shipwrecks and the challenges of early navigation in these inland seas.

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.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Vessel Name: LADY MOULTON (originally G. J. WHITNEY)
  • Type of Wreck: Wooden Schooner
  • Location: Off Point Peter, Lake Ontario
  • Coordinates: Exact coordinates not specified.
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 75 feet (22.9 meters)
    • Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    • Depth: 7 feet (2.1 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage: 79 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 79 tons
  • Site Status: Foundered in 1880; the exact location and condition remain undocumented.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The LADY MOULTON, originally named G. J. WHITNEY, was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in 1857 in Charlotte, New York. Built for the robust demands of Great Lakes cargo transport, the vessel featured a sturdy design typical of mid-19th-century shipbuilding. Its reliance on sails as the primary means of propulsion and its moderate size made it versatile for its trade routes. After being renamed LADY MOULTON and registered in Montreal, Quebec, in 1862, the schooner continued to serve as a vital link in regional commerce.

HISTORY

The schooner’s career was fraught with incidents and challenges that reflected the hazards of navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

Key Historical Events:

  • 1857: Built in Charlotte, New York, and launched as G. J. WHITNEY. The vessel was reported lost on the east shore of Lake Michigan the same year but was later recovered.
  • 1862: Renamed LADY MOULTON and registered in Montreal, Quebec, marking a transition in ownership and continued service.
  • 1869 Collision: While en route to Cobourg from Ogdensburg, the schooner collided with the bark Sir Edmund W. Head. Poor visibility prompted a course adjustment by the LADY MOULTON, but the bark struck it, leaving the schooner in a sinking condition. The crew survived, though the vessel was abandoned and later salvaged.
  • 1878: By this time, ownership had passed to Alex Keith of Bowmanville, Ontario, under whose tenure the schooner continued its operations on the Great Lakes.
  • 1880 Foundering: The LADY MOULTON met its ultimate fate off Point Peter, Lake Ontario. Details surrounding the circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but it marked the end of the vessel’s operational life.

The schooner’s registry was officially closed on March 10, 1880, finalizing its story as a casualty of the Great Lakes’ treacherous waters.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The LADY MOULTON foundered off Point Peter in 1880. Despite its robust construction and history of recovery from prior incidents, it could not withstand the hazards of the lakes. The specific cause of the sinking remains undocumented, underscoring the uncertainties faced by vessels in that era.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the LADY MOULTON wreck site. Divers and maritime enthusiasts exploring the area near Point Peter should consult regional navigational advisories for safety.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The precise location of the wreck has not been determined, and modern documentation of the LADY MOULTON site is limited. The site remains of interest to maritime historians and potential underwater explorers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records and context for Great Lakes shipping and shipwrecks.
  • Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: Available through local maritime archives and historical societies.
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records detailing Great Lakes vessel histories, including the LADY MOULTON.

KEYWORDS – LADY MOULTON G. J. WHITNEY Wooden Schooner Point Peter Shipwreck Lake Ontario Maritime History 1869 Collision 1880 Shipwreck Canadian Schooner

ANALYSIS

The LADY MOULTON exemplifies the trials faced by wooden schooners on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its operational history—marked by collisions, changes in ownership, and eventual sinking—offers a window into the dynamic and often perilous nature of regional maritime trade. Despite its relatively small size, the schooner played an essential role in transporting goods across the Great Lakes.

The sinking of the LADY MOULTON near Point Peter adds to the lore of Lake Ontario’s many shipwrecks. Although the exact location of its final resting place remains unknown, its story underscores the enduring fascination with Great Lakes shipwrecks and the challenges of early navigation in these inland seas.

lady-moulton-g-j-whitney-c-33574 1880-03-14 07:52:00