Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Laura
- Type: Three-Masted Wood Scow Schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Walkerville, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 140 ft (42.7 m); Beam 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 348 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 183 m / 600 ft
- Location: 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York, Lake Ontario
- Official Number: 17234
- Original Owners: J. & T. Mathews, Toronto, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Laura was a three-masted scow schooner, a type of vessel common in the 19th century for carrying bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. Its flat-bottomed design provided stability for heavy loads and shallow draft for navigating harbours and rivers. Constructed from wood, the Laura was built to endure the rigours of commercial shipping on Lake Ontario, transporting coal, grain, and other essential goods.
Description
The Laura was built in 1873 at Walkerville, Ontario, a centre of shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region. The schooner’s wide, flat-bottomed design allowed for efficient transportation of heavy cargo, making it a key asset in the busy trade routes of the late 19th century. Owned by J. & T. Mathews of Toronto, the Laura was used extensively to carry goods between ports on both sides of the Canada–US border.
History
On August 13, 1893, the Laura embarked on what would be its last voyage. Loaded with coal in Oswego, New York, the schooner was bound for Toronto, Ontario. While traversing Lake Ontario, the vessel encountered a severe northeast gale, a storm notorious for its sudden onset and ferocity.
Despite its sturdy build, the Laura struggled against the storm. Approximately 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York, the schooner began to take on water and was unable to withstand the gale’s relentless battering.
Recognizing the vessel’s imminent demise, Captain Markeson and the crew of nine launched the ship’s yawl, narrowly escaping the sinking schooner. The Laura plunged to the bottom of Lake Ontario, 600 feet below the surface, taking its cargo of coal with it. Miraculously, no lives were lost during the incident—a rare outcome in such situations.
The loss of the schooner dealt a significant financial blow to its owners, who relied on it for their operations. It also underscored the perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during that era.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: August 13, 1893
- Cause of Loss: Foundered in a storm while carrying coal
- Crew Fate: All nine crew members survived
Final Disposition
Believed to lie intact at a depth of 600 feet (183 meters). The exact site remains unconfirmed, though historical accounts pinpoint the wreck approximately 15 to 25 miles off Charlotte, New York.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Laura’s wreck. Mariners navigating this region of Lake Ontario should exercise caution due to the area’s history of shipwrecks and unpredictable weather.
Resources & Links
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The Laura’s history emphasizes the resilience and risks of 19th-century maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Its loss during a fierce northeast gale in 1893 highlights the challenges of navigating these unpredictable inland seas. Though the wreck lies undiscovered in the depths of Lake Ontario, the story of the Laura continues to resonate as a testament to the courage of those who worked the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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