Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Mountaineer (c1854)

Explore the wreck of the Mountaineer, a wooden schooner lost in a gale on Lake Erie in 1882, highlighting the risks of coastal lumber transport.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Mountaineer
  • Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
  • Year Built: c1854
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Approx. 80-120 ft LOA
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Tyrconnell, near Port Stanley, Ontario
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden two-masted schooner

Description

The Mountaineer was a wooden schooner built around 1854, likely measuring between 80 and 120 feet in length overall, consistent with other lumber schooners of the era.

History

The Mountaineer was engaged in coastal lumber transport at the time of its loss. It reflects the maritime trade practices of the mid-19th century, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

Significant Incidents

  • July 31, 1882: The Mountaineer was driven onto a shallow point at Tyrconnell during a severe southeast gale, colliding with a lumber dock.
  • Upon impact, the vessel broke apart, sustaining catastrophic structural damage and resulting in a total loss.
  • No crew fatalities were reported, and the vessel was not carrying cargo at the time.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Mountaineer serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels operating in coastal lumber transport during severe weather conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, the exact location of the wreck has not been confirmed, but it is believed that submerged timbers or fasteners may still remain near the site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”mountaineer-c1854″ title=”References & Links”]

The loss of the Mountaineer on July 31, 1882, underscores the vulnerability of maritime trade infrastructure to severe weather, providing a case study in the hazards of 19th-century coastal transport.

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, Built c.1854

Identification & Specifications

  • Name: Mountaineer
  • Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
  • Approximate Build Year: Mid-1850s (some sources suggest 1854)
  • Specs: Likely around 80–120 ft LOA—consistent with similarly purposed lumber schooners of the era

Incident Overview – July 31, 1882

  • Location: Tyrconnell (near Port Stanley), Lake Erie, Ontario
  • Weather Conditions: A severe south-east gale
  • Incident: The Mountaineer was driven onto the shallow point at Tyrconnell and collided with a lumber dock
  • Damage: Broke apart upon impact; sustained catastrophic structural damage resulting in a total loss
  • Casualties: No crew fatalities reported
  • Cargo: None—likely engaged in coastal lumber transport at the time

Source Details

  • The incident appears in Lawrence L. Traver’s Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, labeled “12 PM M”, describing a gale-driven wreck at Tyrconnell and impact with a lumber dock, resulting in complete destruction
  • Additional confirmation comes from History of Elgin County, citing a schooner wrecked near Tyrconnell in 1882 that inflicted severe damage on the Tyrconnell lumber dock (linkstothepast.com, wanderingeducators.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, elgincounty.ca)

Significance & Context

  • Reflects the persistent risks of coastal lumber operations during late summer storms on Lake Erie
  • Tyrconnell was a known hub for lumber activities—this wreck serves as documentation of the economic disruptions caused by weather-related maritime losses
  • The collision with a commercial structure illustrates how maritime accidents directly impacted shore-based industries

Research & Documentation Gaps

  • Archival Newspapers:
    • Seek July–August 1882 editions of the Port Stanley Observer and St. Thomas Times-Journal for witness reports and salvage activity
  • Dock Records:
    • Tyrconnell lumber dock’s operator logs might document financial damage or replacement orders
  • Maritime Registries:
    • Search registration ledgers circa 1880 for Mountaineer under Ontario registry to confirm build details and ownership
  • Underwater Survey:
    • Conduct sonar imaging near Tyrconnell point. Even though the wreck occurred in shallows, submerged timbers or fasteners may still remain

Summary

The Mountaineer schooner was destroyed in a gale on July 31, 1882, off Tyrconnell, Ontario—notably breaking apart on the shore and damaging a local lumber dock. No loss of life occurred, but the wreck underscores the vulnerability of maritime trade infrastructure to severe weather, while providing a case study in 19th-century coastal transport hazards.

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