Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maggie Hunter
- Type: Two-Masted Schooner
- Year Built: 1876
- Builder: William Jamieson, Mill Point, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 104 ft (31.7 m); Beam 24.3 ft (7.4 m); Depth of hold 9.9 ft (3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 168.94 tons; Net: 168.94 tons
- Location: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: N43°32.772′, W76°31.594′
- Official Number: 72954
- Original Owners: Samuel Hunter of Toronto, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Hunter was a wooden two-masted schooner, purpose-built for transporting bulk cargo such as coal across the Great Lakes. A common and reliable vessel design of the late 19th century, the schooner was characterized by its substantial cargo capacity and simplicity of rigging. Constructed on the base of a previous vessel (John S. Clark), it measured 104 feet in length and had a gross tonnage of 168.94 tons, making it an effective vessel for Great Lakes shipping.
Description
The Hunter was built in 1876 by William Jamieson at Mill Point, Ontario, and registered on May 12, 1876, to Samuel Hunter of Toronto, Ontario. The vessel was primarily employed to transport coal, a crucial commodity for industrial and domestic use during the 19th century.
History
In October 1876, the Hunter set sail from Oswego, New York, loaded with coal bound for Toronto, Ontario. The vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario, an all-too-common hazard for schooners in the region. Likely overburdened by its cargo, the vessel succumbed to the storm and foundered, leading to the tragic loss of all hands aboard. Portions of the wreck washed ashore near Oswego, New York, on October 11, 1876. Overloading of coal, combined with the gale’s intensity, is believed to have been the primary cause of the disaster.
Significant Incidents
- The Hunter was declared a total loss, and its registration documents were formally surrendered on January 17, 1879.
- The vessel was lost to a gale on October 9 or 10, 1876, and its wreckage was discovered washed ashore near Oswego shortly afterward.
Final Disposition
The sinking marked the end of the Hunter‘s short operational life, barely five months after its launch. The wreck location is approximately at coordinates N43°32.772′, W76°31.594’, in Lake Ontario near Oswego.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is believed to lie near the specified coordinates off Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. As the wreckage washed ashore after the sinking, it is unclear how much of the original structure remains intact underwater. Further exploration and documentation are needed to assess its current state.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maggie-hunter-john-s-clark-c-72954″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the Hunter was a brief but tragic chapter in Lake Ontario’s maritime history. As a newly built vessel, it symbolized the vital role schooners played in the Great Lakes economy during the late 19th century. The tragedy also highlights the risks of overloading and navigating in severe weather, lessons that remain relevant to maritime safety today. The wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the historical significance of commerce on 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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