Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Everett
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder: J. Cooper, Wallaceburg, Ontario
- Dimensions: ~120 ft × 26 ft × 8 ft; ~206 GRT / 197 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 206 GRT / 197 NRT
- Location: Lake Ontario
- Official Number: C83156
- Original Owners: John Cooper
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Mary Everett, originally named Serepta, was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1865. It was re-rigged in 1887 to enhance its sailing capabilities, reflecting the adaptation of traditional vessels to changing maritime demands.
Description
The vessel measured approximately 120 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 206 gross tons and 197 net tons. The Mary Everett was registered in Wallaceburg, Ontario, under the ownership of John Cooper.
History
The Mary Everett was constructed in 1865 and underwent a significant re-rigging in 1887, transitioning to a three-masted schooner. This adaptation was indicative of the evolving shipping industry during that era. The vessel served in various capacities until its loss in 1903.
Significant Incidents
- On November 18, 1903, the Mary Everett encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario, leading to its foundering.
- The cargo at the time of sinking is unknown, as registry notes are blank.
- There were likely no casualties reported, although the status of the crew remains unclear.
Final Disposition
The Mary Everett sank fully, and there is no record of salvage or recovery efforts. To date, no wreck site has been identified or surveyed, and remnants may still lie on the lake bottom.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Mary Everett remains unknown, as the wreck has not been located. It is presumed that the remains may be in deep water, awaiting discovery.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-everett-serepta-c-83156″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mary Everett serves as a significant historical artifact, representing the late 19th-century Canadian-built wooden schooners. Its loss highlights the dangers faced by aging sailing vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly as steam power became more prevalent.
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.
Identity & Build
- Original Name: Serepta (built 1865 by J. Cooper, Wallaceburg, Ontario)
- Renamed: Mary Everett circa 1880; officially re-rigged as a three-masted schooner in 1887 (Official No. C83156) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Dimensions: ~120 ft × 26 ft × 8 ft; ~206 GRT / 197 NRT
- Registry: Wallaceburg, Ontario (owner John Cooper) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss – November 18, 1903
- Incident: Encountered a severe lake storm and foundered, sinking on Lake Ontario
- Cargo: Unknown at sinking (registry notes blank)
- Casualties: Not specified – likely none reported
- Location: Lake Ontario (specific coordinates not recorded) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Aftermath & Wreck Status
- The vessel sank fully; no further documentation of salvage or recovery is recorded
- No wreck site has been identified or surveyed to date — remnants may remain on the lake bottom
Historical & Cultural Significance
- Represents a late-surviving example of 19th-century Canadian-built wooden schooners adapted for changing shipping demands—re-rigged to expand sailing capabilities
- The sinking underscores the persistent danger faced by aging sailing vessels, even as steam power dominated—particularly on volatile Great Lakes waters
- The absence of detailed crew or casualty records highlights a gap in archival preservation; further research may clarify the human narrative behind the loss
Research & Investigation Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Newspaper Archives | Search Kingston Whig-Standard, Toronto Globe, and regional Ontario press (Nov–Dec 1903) for storm reports, mentions of Mary Everett, and possible crew casualty notices |
| Maritime Registries | Obtain official registry forms (pre-1903) to verify cargo history and ownership—might record final voyage details |
| Wreck Location Search | Utilize storm track reconstructions to narrow potential sinking zone in Lake Ontario; follow up with side-scan sonar surveys |
| Diver Investigations | If a site is located, plan for dive-based documentation to assess hull condition, timber preservation, and possible artifact recovery |
Summary
- Name: Mary Everett (originally Serepta)
- Built: 1865, Wallaceburg, Ontario; re-rigged 1887—206 GRT schooner
- Lost: Nov 18, 1903 — foundered in Lake Ontario storm
- Casualties: None documented; crew status unclear
- Wreck: Not located; remains may lie in deep water
- Significance: Symbolic of midsail-era Canadian schooners, marking the end of traditional wooden cargo ships in early 20th-century Great Lakes navigation