Lochiel (Three Seas)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Lochiel (formerly Three Seas)
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1852
• Builder: Robert Steel, Port Sarnia, Canada West
• Dimensions: Unknown (no documented length/beam)
• Registered Tonnage: 223 tons (old measure)
• Location: Approx. 15 miles northeast of Genesee Light, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Official Number: Unknown
• Original Owners: James Coleman & Co.
• Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Lochiel was a wooden-hulled schooner, designed for carrying general cargo or bulk commodities, such as wheat, across Lake Ontario. Her two-masted design was typical for mid-19th century Great Lakes vessels.

Description

Lochiel, originally named Three Seas, was a wood-built schooner typical of her era. She featured a conventional hull form designed to balance cargo capacity with handling in open waters. The vessel was equipped with two masts, shrouds, and stays for sail support.

History

Launched in 1852 in Port Sarnia by Robert Steel, Lochiel was registered at 223 tons and classified as B 1 under the Board of Lake Underwriters, indicating a standard of construction and insurance eligibility. Before 1854, she was renamed from Three Seas. In or before 1861, she underwent repairs documented in local accounts. On her final voyage under Captain Scott, she was carrying 9,000 bushels of wheat from Dundas to Oswego when she encountered a severe gale. Approximately 15 miles northeast of Genesee Light, she foundered, and the crew abandoned ship in small boats, successfully reaching Genesee by 9 a.m. All aboard survived.

Significant Incidents

• Launched in 1852 and originally named Three Seas.
• Renamed Lochiel before 1854.
• Foundered in a gale on March 14, 1861, while carrying wheat.
• All crew members survived the incident.

Final Disposition

Lochiel was lost by foundering in a gale, likely exacerbated by heavy cargo and structural limits. The vessel and her cargo were lost to the lake, and she has not been located. Her present condition remains unknown, but the durability of wooden remains under Lake Ontario conditions is typically poor.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Lochiel has not been located, and no published survey, sonar detection, or dive identification is evident in the sources consulted. The site is not marked and is not documented as a hazard.

Resources & Links

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As a diver, remember to respect the underwater heritage of Lochiel. Leave only bubbles and take only memories. If you encounter any debris or garbage at dive sites, consider removing it to leave the site better than you found it.