Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Minnie Blakely
• Type: Scow Schooner
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: Alex Blakely
• Dimensions: Length 92 ft (28 m); Beam 20.5 ft; Depth of hold 6.9 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 111 tons
• Location: Bay of Quinte, near Point Anne
• Original Owners: Sharp & Blakely, Wm. Goldthorpe
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Minnie Blakely was a wooden scow schooner built in 1873 in Port Credit, Ontario, by Alex Blakely. Scow schooners were flat-bottom vessels commonly used in the Great Lakes region to transport bulk cargoes such as timber, coal, or grain. Their design allowed them to navigate shallow waters, making them ideal for the Great Lakes and nearby bays.

Description

The Minnie Blakely was originally owned by Sharp & Blakely of Toronto and operated as part of the busy trade network on Lake Ontario. The vessel was sold to Wm. Goldthorpe of Toronto by 1878 and continued operating as a cargo schooner.

History

On September 20, 1881, the Minnie Blakely met its tragic end when it was wrecked near Point Anne in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, all hands aboard the vessel were lost, adding to the tragedy of the shipwreck.

Significant Incidents

• The Minnie Blakely was wrecked on September 20, 1881, near Point Anne in the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario.
• The circumstances of the wreck are not well documented, but it likely occurred during a storm or due to navigational issues common in the region.
• The entire crew was lost in the disaster.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Minnie Blakely serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly on smaller vessels like scow schooners that often had limited maneuverability in challenging conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no known modern efforts to locate or recover the wreck of the Minnie Blakely. It is assumed that the remains of the vessel lie at the bottom of the Bay of Quinte. There are no navigational hazards associated with the wreck, although the area around the Bay of Quinte has a long history of shipwrecks due to its challenging navigation and shallow waters.

Resources & Links

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As divers, it is essential to respect the site of the Minnie Blakely and engage in no-touch documentation methods. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories, ensuring that the legacy of this vessel is preserved for future generations.