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