Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Muriel W (formerly Veronica)
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1886
- Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co.
- Dimensions: 202 ft × 34.5 ft × 19 ft (61.6 m × 10.5 m × 5.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,093 GRT / 881 NRT
- Location: Near Port Weller, Ontario, Lake Ontario
- Official Number: US 161560; Canadian C138505
- Original Owners: Milwaukee Tug Boat Co., Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co., Standard Navigation Co., Canadian Import Co.
- Number of Masts: 2 decks, centreboard rigging
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Veronica was a purpose-built wooden bulk freighter enhanced for winter operations, with centreboard, robust hull reinforcement, and a steam engine. She reflects the transitional period of Great Lakes shipping, blending sailing features with steam power.
Description
Veronica was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter designed for carrying bulk freight, likely grain or coal. The vessel featured a reinforced bow and ice framing, making it suitable for winter navigation. It was powered by a 625 hp compound engine and had a single screw propulsion system.
History
- 1886–1906: Operated in coal, iron ore, and grain trades under US registry and Milwaukee Tug Boat Co., later Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co.
- 1906: Grounded in the Niagara River near Buffalo; subsequently lightered and repaired.
- 1913–1918: Ownership passed to Standard Navigation Co. (Buffalo), then sold to Canadian Import Co. (Montreal), later renamed Muriel W following redocumentation.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded in the Niagara River in 1906.
- Struck a submerged crib marking the Welland Canal entrance in heavy fog on 11 August 1919, leading to its sinking.
Final Disposition
On 11 August 1919, while approaching Port Weller in heavy fog, Muriel W struck a submerged crib marking the Welland Canal entrance. The hull suffered catastrophic damage and sank; subsequently, it broke in two amid worsening weather. The crew escaped in the yawl and reached Amherstburg the following morning.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal underwater archaeological survey or wreck identification is documented. Given the wreck’s position near shipping lanes and the Welland Canal exit, debris likely compromised navigation until removal. No coordinates or dives known.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”muriel-w-c-138505veronica-us-161560″ title=”References & Links”]
Veronica/Muriel W was an advanced wooden bulk freighter built for winter cargo service on the Great Lakes. After over 30 years of durability—including grounding repairs and repowering—she met her end in 1919, colliding with a submerged navigational structure in poor visibility. Her sinking added to navigational caution around the Welland Canal exit but resulted in no loss of life. Although her remains are not officially surveyed, she contributes to the industrial and navigational heritage of Lake Ontario.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Veronica (later renamed Muriel W. in 1918–19)
- Official numbers: US 161560; Canadian C138505 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Year built: 29 September 1886 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Shipyard Co.) (Naval Marine Archive)
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter, 2 decks, reinforced bow and ice framing, centreboard rigging
- Dimensions & machinery: 202 ft × 34.5 ft × 19 ft (61.6 × 10.5 × 5.8 m); 1,093 GRT / 881 NRT; powered by a 625 hp compound engine and single screw, boiler: 9′2″ × 16′ firebox, 100 lb steam
- Date lost: 11 August 1919
- Location: Near Port Weller, Ontario, Lake Ontario (exit of Welland Canal) (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
- Loss type: Collision — struck a submerged crib (navigation aid structure) in heavy fog, foundered, broke in two the following day (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
- Cargo & crew: Bulk freight (likely grain or coal); no recorded casualties
Vessel Type & Description
Veronica was a purpose-built wooden bulk freighter enhanced for winter operations, with centreboard, robust hull reinforcement, and a steam engine. She reflects the transitional period of Great Lakes shipping, blending sailing features with steam power.
History
- 1886–1906: Operated in coal, iron ore, and grain trades under US registry and Milwaukee Tug Boat Co., later Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- 1906: Grounded in the Niagara River near Buffalo; subsequently lightered and repaired (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- 1913–1918: Ownership passed to Standard Navigation Co. (Buffalo), then sold to Canadian Import Co. (Montreal), later renamed Muriel W. following redocumentation (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
On 11 August 1919, while approaching Port Weller in heavy fog, Muriel W. struck a submerged crib marking the Welland Canal entrance. The hull suffered catastrophic damage and sank; subsequently, it broke in two amid worsening weather. The crew escaped in the yawl and reached Amherstburg the following morning (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Located By & Date Found
No formal underwater archaeological survey or wreck identification is documented. Given the wreck’s position near shipping lanes and the Welland Canal exit, debris likely compromised navigation until removal. No coordinates or dives known.
Notmar & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners list this specific wreck. However, the Port Weller/Welland Canal approach remains closely charted, focusing on fog hazards, submerged crib structures, and frequent ship traffic. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution in limited visibility.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessel Histories – Veronica (Muriel W.) (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Detailed entry under “MURIEL W.” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
Veronica/Muriel W. was an advanced wooden bulk freighter built for winter cargo service on the Great Lakes. After over 30 years of durability—including grounding repairs and repowering—she met her end in 1919, colliding with a submerged navigational structure in poor visibility. Her sinking added to navigational caution around the Welland Canal exit but resulted in no loss of life. Although her remains are not officially surveyed, she contributes to the industrial and navigational heritage of Lake Ontario.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Veronica, Muriel W., bulk freighter, 1919 collision, Welland Canal, wooden steamship
- Categories: Wooden bulk freighters, Great Lakes collisions, Port Weller wrecks
- Glossary:
- Centreboard: Retractable keel allowing sail stability.
- Crib: A timber-framed navigation structure marking canal or shipping channel entrances.
- GRT/NRT: Gross and net register tonnage (internal volume measurements).