Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: N.G.
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Port Dover, Ontario
- Dimensions: 92 ft × 17 ft × 7 ft; approx. 110 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 110 tons
- Location: Pigeon Bay, Lake Erie
- Original Owners: John Jennings, sailmaker, from Port Dover
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The N.G. was a wooden two-masted schooner, a common vessel type in the mid-19th century, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1847 at Port Dover, Ontario, the N.G. measured 92 feet in length, 17 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 7 feet. The vessel was approximately 110 tons and underwent significant rebuilding in 1852 after sustaining heavy damage in 1855.
History
The N.G. was owned by John Jennings, a sailmaker from Port Dover. After being recently purchased for $800, the vessel was sailing from Cleveland to her new homeport when she encountered a storm on Lake Erie.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a storm on Lake Erie at Pigeon Bay on November 17, 1866.
- Driven ashore and wrecked, resulting in the loss of one crew member.
- Light cargo or minimal ballast may have affected the vessel’s stability during the storm.
Final Disposition
The N.G. was considered a total loss, with no salvage report filed. The wreck stood near Pigeon Bay, and remnants may still exist underwater, potentially washed into deeper areas or buried in bay sediments.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the N.G. is believed to be in a state of disrepair, with no known salvage attempts reported. Nearby, the schooner William Finch was lost while attempting to salvage the N.G., indicating the risks associated with maritime salvage operations of the time.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”n-g-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
The N.G. serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden schooners in the 19th century, particularly during late-season storms on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s loss and the subsequent salvage attempts highlight the intertwined risks of maritime operations during this period.
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.
Identification & Build
- Built: 1847 at Port Dover, Ontario
- Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Dimensions: 92 ft × 17 ft × 7 ft; approx. 110 tons
- Rebuilt: Enlarged at Port Burwell in 1852; she had been heavily damaged in 1855 near Avon Point
- Owner: John Jennings, sailmaker, from Port Dover
Final Voyage & Loss – November 17, 1866
- Route: Sailing from Cleveland to her new homeport (likely Port Dover) after being recently purchased for $800
- Incident: Caught in a storm on Lake Erie, at Pigeon Bay
- Outcome: Driven ashore and wrecked; her bottom was torn out
- Casualties: 1 crew member lost during sinking
- Cargo: Light—empty or minimal ballast—a factor that may have affected stability in heavy seas (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook)
Wreck & Condition
- Stood as a wreck near Pigeon Bay; considered a total loss with no salvage report
- Nearby, the schooner William Finch was later lost while attempting to salvage the N.G.; additional wreck remnants may lie in the area (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Remnants may still exist underwater—wooden structure could have washed into deeper areas or be buried in bay sediments
Significance
- Reflects the vulnerability of mid‑19th-century wooden schooners during late-season Lake Erie storms
- The modest sale price of $800 highlights the economic marginalization of aging vessels, even as they remain in service
- The associated salvage attempts—and a secondary wreck (William Finch)—underscore the intertwined risks faced by maritime vessels of the era
Research & Exploration Opportunities
| Focus | Suggested Action |
|---|---|
| Historical Newspapers | Search Erie Gazette, Cleveland Leader, and Port Dover press (Nov 1866) for wreck and salvage reports |
| Registry Records | Obtain 1847 enrollment and 1866 casualty documents for design data and crew manifests |
| Salvage Logs | Investigate records of the William Finch loss—potentially including N.G.‘s salvage efforts |
| Remote Wreck Survey | Side-scan sonar and magnetometer mapping in Pigeon Bay could uncover submerged remains |
| Dive Survey | If located, shallow diving might recover timbers, fastenings, or cargo remnants for documentation |
Summary
- Name: “N. G.”
- Built: 1847, Port Dover, Ont.; enlarged 1852
- Lost: Nov 17, 1866 – storm wrecked at Pigeon Bay, Lake Erie
- Crew: 1 death reported
- Cargo: Light/ballast
- Significance: Embodies maritime risks of aging schooners; entangled with secondary wreck (William Finch) during salvage