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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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