Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: G.M. Neelon / Manitou
- Type: Wooden-hulled, three-masted schooner (later rigged as schooner-barge)
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: S.G. Andrews & Son
- Dimensions: 138.5 ft × 25.8 ft × 11.6 ft (42.2 m × 7.9 m × 3.5 m); 368 gross tons
- Registered Tonnage: 368 gross tons
- Location: Off Scotch Bonnet Light, Lake Ontario
- Official Number: 83147 (later re-registered as US 92568)
- Original Owners: Various until 1905
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A three-masted sailing schooner, later converted to a schooner-barge for carrying bulk freight. Utilised across Great Lakes freight operations, including grain, lumber, and bulk goods.
Description
Constructed with traditional wooden framing and planking, the Neelon featured a deep hold for cargo. She sailed under full mast until conversion to a barge-style vessel before 1895, after which she was dependent on tow power and had reduced rigging.
History
- 1873: Launched as G.M. Neelon, under Sylvester Neelon of St. Catharines, Ontario.
- 1874: Collision in Welland Canal alignment; 1877: Grounding at Sister Island, Lake Erie.
- 1887–1892: Employed in grain trade, towed by steamers like Sir S.L. Tilley.
- 1892: Broke away from tow and stranded on Gull Rock, Lake Superior; abandoned, but salvaged by J.H. Gillette in 1893.
- 1895: Renamed Manitou, U.S. official No. 92568; change marked transition to barge role.
- Continuously changed ownership until 1905, operating out of Cleveland, Detroit, and Kingston.
Significant Incidents
- Collision in Welland Canal (1874)
- Grounding at Sister Island, Lake Erie (1877)
- Stranded on Gull Rock, Lake Superior (1892)
Final Disposition
On 4 November 1905, Manitou was caught in a heavy storm near Scotch Bonnet Light at the eastern tip of Lake Ontario. The schooner-barge foundered, sinking in deep waters. Her crew of six survived, but she was declared a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No wreck discovered to date; likely resting in deep waters off Scotch Bonnet Light. No documented dives, surveys, or archaeological expeditions reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”manitou-g-m-neelon-us-83147″ title=”References & Links”]
The G.M. Neelon–Manitou exemplifies the lifecycle of a Great Lakes schooner transitioning through major operational shifts, from freight sailing to barge status, over three decades. Her final foundering underlines the persistent dangers posed by late-season storms and the shifting conditions near navigational aids like Scotch Bonnet Light. Though her physical remnants remain unfound, her operational history is well-documented and contributes to the broader narrative of maritime adaptation and risk on Lake Ontario.
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.
G.M. NEELON / MANITOU (Official No. 83147; Built 1873)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name(s): G.M. Neelon (at launch), later renamed Manitou in 1895
- Official number: 83147 (later re-registered as US 92568) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Built: 1873 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario by S.G. Andrews & Son
- Type: Wooden-hulled, three‑masted schooner (later rigged as schooner‑barge)
- Dimensions: 138.5 ft × 25.8 ft × 11.6 ft (42.2 m × 7.9 m × 3.5 m); 368 gross tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date lost: 4 November 1905
- Location: Off Scotch Bonnet Light, Lake Ontario
- Loss type: Foundered in a severe storm; no fatalities among six crew (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, whimsea.net)
Vessel Type
A three-masted sailing schooner, later converted to a schooner‑barge for carrying bulk freight. Utilised across Great Lakes freight operations, including grain, lumber, and bulk goods.
Description
Constructed with traditional wooden framing and planking, the Neelon featured a deep hold for cargo. She sailed under full mast until conversion to a barge-style vessel before 1895, after which she was dependent on tow power and had reduced rigging.
History
- 1873: Launched as G.M. Neelon, under Sylvester Neelon of St. Catharines, Ontario.
- 1874: Collision in Welland Canal alignment; 1877: Grounding at Sister Island, Lake Erie.
- 1887–1892: Employed in grain trade, towed by steamers like Sir S.L. Tilley.
- 1892: Broke away from tow and stranded on Gull Rock, Lake Superior; abandoned, but salvaged by J.H. Gillette in 1893. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, whimsea.net)
- 1895: Renamed Manitou, U.S. official No. 92568; change marked transition to barge role. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Continuously changed ownership until 1905, operating out of Cleveland, Detroit, and Kingston.
Final Disposition
On 4 November 1905, Manitou was caught in a heavy storm near Scotch Bonnet Light at the eastern tip of Lake Ontario. The schooner‑barge foundered, sinking in deep waters. Her crew of six survived, but she was declared a total loss. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Located By & Date Found
No wreck discovered to date; likely resting in deep waters off Scotch Bonnet Light. No documented dives, surveys, or archaeological expeditions reported.
Notmar & Advisories
No specific Notice to Mariners (Notmar) currently identifies this wreck. However, the region is recognised for frequent storm activity and strong currents, particularly in autumn—advisory caution is standard in this area.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Detailed vessel history under G.M. Neelon and Manitou (Shipwreck World, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Historical maritime archives: collision, grounding, and salvage logs cited in Great Lakes shipping records (e.g. nsp, mv, wmn, hgl sources referenced in GL Shipswreck Files)
Conclusion
The G.M. Neelon–Manitou exemplifies the lifecycle of a Great Lakes schooner transitioning through major operational shifts, from freight sailing to barge status, over three decades. Her final foundering underlines the persistent dangers posed by late-season storms and the shifting conditions near navigational aids like Scotch Bonnet Light. Though her physical remnants remain unfound, her operational history is well-documented and contributes to the broader narrative of maritime adaptation and risk on Lake Ontario.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Keywords: schooner-barge, Neelon, Manitou, Scotch Bonnet, Lake Ontario storm wreck
- Categories: Wooden sailing vessels, Bulk freight barges, 19th-century Great Lakes transitions, Autumn storms
- Glossary:
- Schooner-barge – A schooner converted to barge service, usually towed.
- Foundered – Sinking due to water ingress or structural failure, typically in open water.
- Notmar – Official navigational advisory notices.