Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Ann Rankin
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: W. Callister, Charlotte, NY
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~108 tons (recorded as 126 tons)
- Location: Stranded at Sugar Loaf Point, near Port Colborne, Ontario
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 16329
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden schooner, two-masted, used for coastal Great Lakes trade. Built robustly but vulnerable in late-season storms typical on Lake Erie.
Description
The Mary Ann Rankin was a wooden schooner constructed in 1857, primarily engaged in trade across the Great Lakes. Its design featured two masts, making it suitable for coastal navigation, although it was susceptible to the severe weather conditions that can occur on Lake Erie.
History
Caught in a gale on October 31, 1870, Mary Ann Rankin was driven ashore on Sugar Loaf Point. She broke apart on the rocks during the storm. The vessel was completely wrecked, and there is no record of salvage or remaining structural remnants.
Significant Incidents
- Crew: Four crew members aboard. One crewman washed overboard.
- Rescuers: Three rescuers from the schooner Hippogriff capsized and drowned in the heavy surf while attempting a rescue. Remaining crew survived and were rescued by Hippogriff.
Final Disposition
The vessel was completely wrecked and broke apart on site. There is no record of salvage or remaining structural remnants.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern rediscovery or archaeological survey is documented. The wreck site remains unmarked and submerged near Sugar Loaf Point; however, local charted hazard markers exist for navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-ann-rankin-us-16329″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mary Ann Rankin tragedy encapsulates the perils of late-season lake navigation, highlighting perilous surf conditions and the heroism of rescuers like Hippogriff‘s crew. As no modern identification exists, it remains a candidate for underwater archaeological investigation off Sugar Loaf Point—especially given the loss of multiple rescuers, an aspect often underrepresented in wreck histories.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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