Medora – Lake Ontario Schooner Shipwreck (1835)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Medora
• Type: Scow
• Year Built: 1861
• Builder: Clayton, New York
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 64 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 2.13 m / 7 ft
• Location: Near Wolf River, at Grim's Pier
• Official Number: 16451
• Original Owners: Detroit, Michigan
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• MEDORA: The MEDORA was a scow, a type of flat-bottomed boat commonly used in the 19th century for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Built in 1861 in Clayton, New York, the MEDORA had a burden of 64 tons and was valued at $2,000. The vessel was classified as a C 1 type, indicating its role in commercial transport. Its home port was Detroit, Michigan.
• H. B. STEELE: The schooner H. B. STEELE was another commercial vessel operating on the Great Lakes. Schooners were often used for carrying cargo due to their speed and capacity, making them a common sight in Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Description

The MEDORA was a scow with a burden of 64 tons, built in 1861 in Clayton, New York. It was classified as a C 1 vessel and valued at $2,000—a significant sum at the time. The scow had been in service for several years before the incident, primarily engaged in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel’s official number was 16451, and it was listed in various editions of the Chicago Tribune between 1869 and 1878, indicating its regular presence in the Great Lakes maritime industry. The MEDORA’s home port was Detroit, Michigan, from where it operated until its unfortunate demise.

History

Incident Details
The collision between the scow MEDORA and the schooner H. B. STEELE occurred under challenging conditions. The MEDORA was in the process of loading cargo at Grim’s Pier, near Wolf River, when a sudden storm struck. The unexpected weather caused confusion among the crews of the vessels docked at the pier. As the storm intensified, the H. B. STEELE attempted to depart from the pier to avoid being trapped by the worsening conditions. However, in the chaos of the moment, the schooner collided with the scow MEDORA. The impact of the collision was severe, causing the MEDORA to spring a leak. Despite efforts to save the vessel, it quickly began to take on water and sank in just 7 feet of water.

The damage to the MEDORA was extensive, and it was reported that the vessel eventually broke apart due to the force of the collision and the subsequent flooding. The MEDORA was considered a total loss.

Significant Incidents

• The MEDORA sank in 7 feet of water after a collision with the H. B. STEELE during a storm.
• The vessel was reported to have broken apart shortly after sinking, leading to its classification as a total loss.

Final Disposition

The scow MEDORA was lost as a result of the collision with the H. B. STEELE. After the initial impact and subsequent flooding, the vessel sank in shallow water near Grim’s Pier. The MEDORA was considered a total loss, with the wreckage breaking apart shortly after sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The MEDORA was lost in shallow water and likely salvaged or broken apart shortly after the incident. There are no specific NOTMARs associated with the incident, as it occurred in the 19th century. However, the collision serves as a historical example of the dangers posed by sudden storms and the challenges of navigating busy maritime areas like the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”medora-us-16451″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The collision between the MEDORA and H. B. STEELE underscores the risks faced by maritime workers during the 19th century, a time when the Great Lakes were bustling with commercial activity. The loss of the MEDORA adds to the rich but often tragic history of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, reminding us of the dangers inherent in maritime navigation.