Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Newburgh
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 216 ft (65.5 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 1,299 GRT
- Location: Port Burwell, Lake Erie
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
The Newburgh was a wooden two-masted schooner built circa 1871, likely in a Great Lakes shipyard. It measured 216 feet in length and had a registered tonnage of 1,299 gross tons. The vessel was primarily engaged in transporting a mixed cargo, including flour, pig iron, rags, and other goods, indicating its role in regional trade.
History
The Newburgh was involved in trade routes between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ports. Its cargo mix illustrates Port Burwell’s significance as a regional trade hub, handling both industrial materials and everyday goods. The vessel’s grounding in 1892 occurred during a notorious storm, contributing to evolving harbor construction and shipping safety practices.
Significant Incidents
- November 19, 1892: Caught in a fierce southwest gale and blizzard while rounding into Port Burwell harbor on Lake Erie.
- Grounding: Struck bottom and went ashore near the harbor mouth.
- Loss: Broke apart under storm assault and was destroyed; all aboard survived according to available records.
- Salvage: Cargo and boiler reported subsequently salvaged due to their high value and utility to local residents.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Newburgh was destroyed during the storm, but salvage efforts were made for its cargo and boiler. These efforts likely contributed to the development of local salvage expertise and infrastructure, marking Port Burwell’s ongoing heritage as a marine service center.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the exact location of the wreck remains uncertain, but there are prospects for archaeological surveys near the Port Burwell harbor mouth. Side-scan sonar or diver surveys may reveal scattered remains, including hull timbers or machinery debris.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”newburgh-18710″ title=”References & Links”]
The Newburgh serves as an emblematic example of late-19th-century Great Lakes commerce, highlighting the vulnerabilities of vessels to storms and the importance of salvage operations in the region.
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.
Schooner Newburgh (built 1871 – lost November 19, 1892)
Build & Vessel Details
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner, 216 ft LOA, 1,299 GRT
- Built: Circa 1871 (likely in a Great Lakes shipyard)
- Cargo: Mixed—flour, pig iron, rags, and other goods (“valuable” haul)
- Route: Likely moving between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ports
Final Voyage & Wreck – November 19, 1892
- Incident: Caught in a fierce southwest gale and blizzard while rounding into Port Burwell harbor on Lake Erie
- Grounding: Struck bottom and went ashore near the harbor mouth
- Loss: Broke apart under storm assault and was destroyed; all aboard survived according to available records
- Salvage: Cargo and boiler reported subsequently salvaged—useful due to their high value and utility to local residents (Alchem Incorporated, Wikipedia)
Historical & Community Significance
- Cargo mix illustrates Port Burwell’s role as a regional trade hub, handling both industrial materials (pig iron/flour) and everyday goods (rags) (Wikipedia)
- The 1892 grounding occurred during a notorious Lake Erie storm, contributing to evolving harbor construction and shipping safety practices
- Salvage efforts likely aided the development of local salvage expertise and infrastructure—Port Burwell’s ongoing heritage as a marine service center traces roots here
Research & Archaeological Prospects
| Focus Area | Recommended Next Steps |
|---|---|
| Local Newspaper Search | Examine Port Burwell Gazette and broader Ontario press (Nov–Dec 1892) for weather/log entries, crew statements, salvage reports |
| Harbor Records & Reports | Consult Port Burwell Marine Museum archives and Canadian Coast Guard notes for logs or harbor master entries related to the wreck |
| Salvage Documentation | Identify any salvage contracts or auction postings detailing cargo and vessel disposition |
| Registry & Build Plans | Obtain enrollment records (c. 1871) to confirm builder, dimensions, ownership, and structural data |
| On-site Survey Potential | Conduct shoreline/underwater reconnaissance near Port Burwell harbor mouth to locate scattered remains—side-scan or diver surveys may reveal hull timbers or machinery debris |
Summary
- Name: Newburgh
- Built: ~1871, wooden schooner (~216 ft, 1,299 GRT)
- Lost: Nov 19, 1892 — grounded and wrecked off Port Burwell during a blizzard (!no casualties)
- Cargo: Flour, pig iron, rags, other goods — partially salvaged post-wreck
- Significance: Emblematic of late-19th-century Great Lakes commerce, storm vulnerability, and regional salvage operations