Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Watson
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: G. Ford, Goderich, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 72 ft (21.9 m); Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 69 tons
- Location: Off Goderich, Ontario
- Official Number: None (Canadian vessel)
- Original Owners: The Seymour family, Goderich, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Mary Watson was a small, two-masted wooden schooner designed for general cargo transport.
Description
Built in 1853 by G. Ford in Goderich, Ontario, the Mary Watson was primarily used for transporting coal and salt across Lake Huron.
History
The Mary Watson served coastal trade routes between Ontario and Michigan, contributing to the Great Lakes trade network.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: October 10, 1858
- Location: Off Goderich, Ontario, Lake Huron
- Cause: Storm
- Cargo at Loss: Coal and salt
- Loss of Life: None mentioned
Final Disposition
The Mary Watson was driven ashore near the north pier during a severe storm and was reported as a total loss by the end of October 1858.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Mary Watson has likely disintegrated over time due to its wooden construction, but artifacts such as iron fittings, ballast, or remnants of coal and salt may still be present.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-watson-1853″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mary Watson represents the challenges faced by early Great Lakes sailors and highlights the historical significance of Goderich as a shipping hub.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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