Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Magdala
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: McKay & Warner, Quebec
- Dimensions: 105 ft (32 m) X 25 ft; Depth of hold: 9 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 165 GRT
- Location: Driven ashore west of the west pier at Oshawa harbor
- Official Number: C55948
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Magdala was a wooden schooner, a common vessel type used for trade and transport in the late 19th century, particularly for carrying coal along the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1868 by McKay & Warner in Quebec, the Magdala measured approximately 105 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 9 feet. She was registered at 165 gross tons and primarily transported coal.
History
The Magdala had a service history typical of her time, engaging in trade across Lake Ontario. Her final voyage was marked by a storm on October 13, 1885, when she sought shelter off Oshawa.
Significant Incidents
- While riding out a northeast gale, Magdala dragged both anchors and was driven onto the breakwater structure.
- Grounded on rocks, she broke up from wave action.
- Crew were trapped aboard overnight amid the storm but escaped the following day via lifeboat and reached the shore safely.
Final Disposition
No fatalities occurred; the entire crew survived the night and managed to escape. Cargo and salvageable rigging were recovered in subsequent operations. The wreck hull remnants remained visible in the harbor area until removed during dredging in 1935.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck zone is located immediately west of Oshawa’s west pier, likely in shallow harbor waters. Remains are likely scattered structural timber, fasteners, and some iron cargo remnants, which were visible during low water prior to 1935 dredging. Later remains may be buried in silt or rubble.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”magdala-c-55948″ title=”References & Links”]
The Magdala reflects the maritime history of late-19th-century Canada and serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors during autumn storms. Her loss illustrates the hazards of anchor failure and the resourcefulness of the crew in survival situations.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Magdala
- Official No.: C55948
- Built: 1868, by McKay & Warner, Quebec
- Type: Wooden schooner, ~105 ft × 25 ft × 9 ft, ~165 GRT
- Cargo: Coal
- Loss Date: October 13, 1885
- Final Voyage Stage: Seeking shelter during a storm, off Oshawa, Lake Ontario
- Location: Driven ashore west of the west pier at Oshawa harbor (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident & Disposition
- While riding out a northeast gale, Magdala dragged both anchors and was driven onto the breakwater structure.
- Grounded on rocks, she broke up from wave action.
- Crew were trapped aboard overnight amid the storm, but escaped the following day via lifeboat and reached the shore safely (porthopehistory.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Rescue & Salvage
- No fatalities occurred; the entire crew survived the night and managed to escape.
- Cargo and salvageable rigging were recovered in subsequent operations.
- The wreck hull remnants remained visible in the harbor area until removed during dredging in 1935 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Archival & Research Gaps
- Crew & Master Identity – Name of skipper (likely Capt. Geo. Farewell) and crew roster require enlistment records.
- Pre-incident Maintenance – After repairs in 1882 following storm damage, details of hull condition and repair quality are unclear.
- Weather Conditions – Storm specifics (wind speeds, wave heights) could be sourced from Environment Canada archives.
- Harbor Response – Dredging or harbor master’s logs may describe wreck site removal and debris clearance in 1935.
Wreck & Field Survey Potential
- Wreck Zone: Immediately west of Oshawa’s west pier, likely in shallow harbor waters.
- Remains: Likely scattered structural timber, fasteners, and some iron cargo remnants—visible during low water prior to 1935 dredging. Later remain in silt or rubble.
- Survey Plan:
- Historic chart overlay for Oshawa pier area in 1885/1935
- Side‑scan sonar and magnetometer survey to identify buried remains
- Shallow dive or dredge core analysis to detect artifacts below sediment
Historical Significance
- Magdala reflects late-19th-century Canadian-built schooners trading coal along Lake Ontario.
- Her loss illustrates the hazard of anchor failure during sheltering maneuvers in autumn storms.
- Drift and overnight grounding underscore crew resourcefulness and survival amid dangerous conditions.
Recommended Next Steps
- Registry & Crew Research – Acquire enrollment and vessel registration from Library & Archives Canada (Ontario District).
- Weather & Harbor Logs – Request Environment Canada storm reports for October 1885 and Oshawa municipal harbor records.
- Field Reconnaissance – Coordinate with Oshawa Museum & Diving Clubs for sonar reconnaissance east of the pier.
- Newspaper Archival Search – Review 1885 Toronto and Oshawa newspapers for incident narratives, crew interviews, and salvage details.