Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mineral
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: ca. 1850
- Builder: Unknown, likely Ontario or eastern Lake Ontario region
- Dimensions: Length ~60-100 ft (18-30 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not documented; described as carrying lumber
- Location: Near mouth of Black River at Kingston, Ontario
- Official Number: Ontario registry; removed post-incident
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Likely 2-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A river/lake schooner typical of mid-19th century timber trade, used for hauling lumber across Lake Ontario between Canadian and U.S. ports.
Description
No extant records provide exact dimensions or official registry details. Given contemporaries and cargo, estimated at ~50-120 tons and likely between 60-100 feet in length.
History
Little is recorded regarding prior voyages. On the fatal voyage of November 1860, Mineral struck aground in a storm near Kingston while carrying lumber to Oswego and was driven ashore and destroyed. No additional detail, owner, or crew information survives in the entry (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, linkstothepast.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org).
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: November 4, 1860
- Cause of Loss: Driven ashore by storm; wreck classified as total
- Crew Outcome: No fatalities recorded
Final Disposition
No modern rediscovery reported. Wreck likely dispersed near nearshore shoreline or buried by lake currents and sediment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins preserved in historical records.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mineral-1860″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner Mineral typifies the small-scale lumber vessels critical to mid-19th-century trade between Canada and the U.S. Although not a famous wreck, its loss exemplifies the perils of late-season storms on Lake Ontario and the vulnerability of timber ships. It adds to the broader narrative of storm-driven wrecks during this era, providing context to other similar losses near Kingston.
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.
(Wooden Schooner, c. 1850 – 1860)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mineral
- Type: Wooden schooner, likely 2‑masted
- Build: ca. 1850, likely Ontario or eastern Lake Ontario region (based on route)
- Tonnage: Not documented; described as carrying lumber
- Final Loss Date: November 4, 1860
- Location: Near mouth of Black River at Kingston, Ontario, bound for Oswego
- Cargo: Lumber
- Fatalities: None known
- Registry Status: Ontario registry; removed post‑incident
Vessel Type
A river/lake schooner typical of mid‑19th century timber trade, used for hauling lumber across Lake Ontario between Canadian and U.S. ports.
Description
No extant records provide exact dimensions or official registry details. Given contemporaries and cargo, estimated at ~50–120 tons and likely between 60–100 feet in length.
Historical Activity
Little is recorded regarding prior voyages. On the fatal voyage of November 1860, Mineral struck aground in a storm near Kingston while carrying lumber to Oswego and was driven ashore and destroyed. No additional detail, owner, or crew information survives in the entry (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, linkstothepast.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org).
Final Disposition
- Cause of Loss: Driven ashore by storm; wreck classified as total
- Crew Outcome: No fatalities recorded
- Salvage or Inquiry: None documented; vessel presumed intact wreck site then gradually deteriorated
Located By & Date Found
No modern rediscovery reported. Wreck likely dispersed near nearshore shoreline or buried by lake currents and sediment.
Notmars & Advisories
No official Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins preserved in historical records.
Research Gaps & Recommended Follow‑Up
- Library and Archives Canada / Ontario records (1859–1861): For registry files or correspondence mentioning Mineral.
- Ogdensburg / Oswego newspapers (Nov–Dec 1860): For incident coverage, crew names, or cargo manifest detail.
- Great Lakes maritime local archives (Kingston region): For shipping logs, insurer entries, or salvage notices related to the wreck.
Significance & Context
The schooner Mineral typifies the small-scale lumber vessels critical to mid‑19th‑century trade between Canada and the U.S. Although not a famous wreck, its loss exemplifies the perils of late-season storms on Lake Ontario and the vulnerability of timber ships. It adds to the broader narrative of storm-driven wrecks during this era, providing context to other similar losses near Kingston.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Mineral |
| Build Year | ca. 1850 (estimate) |
| Vessel Type | Wooden schooner (lumber trade) |
| Loss Date | November 4, 1860 |
| Loss Cause | Driven ashore in storm |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Fatalities | None recorded |
| Location | Mouth of Black River, Kingston, Ontario |
| Modern Discovery | Not located |
| Registry Status | Ontario registry; later removed |
Resources & References
- Montreal Transportation Co. Annual ship loss files (though not directly referencing Mineral): potential for comparative context.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files — WordPress archive entries including the Mineral listing: minimal detail but essential for cross-reference (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
- Local shipping directories and insurance records around Kingston circa 1860.
- Contemporary newspapers in Ontario and Oswego regions—investigation into local storm and wreck mentions.