Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northern Lights
- Type: Two-masted scow schooner
- Year Built: 1899
- Builder: Frank Phelps Shipyard, Chaumont, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Gill Harbor, Galloo Island, Lake Ontario, New York
- Coordinates: N 43° 54′ 53.99″, W 76° 22′ 53.69″
- Original Owners: Captain William Shelley Sr., Dexter Dibble
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Northern Lights was a classic two-masted scow schooner, a flat-bottomed vessel with a squared bow and scow-type stern. These features allowed efficient loading and unloading in shallow harbours and permitted the schooner to rest on beaches without damage. Wide side running boards, an extended bow deck to the foremast, and a stern deck for helming made it ideal for bulk cargoes such as baled hay, peas, beans, and gravel, serving the agricultural and seed trade around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence region.
Description
The Northern Lights was designed for rugged service, with:
- Flat-bottom hull to maximize cargo volume
- Shallow draft to work shallow docks and undeveloped shorelines
- Sweeping wooden helm on the after deck
- Strong, simplified rigging to manage sails with minimal crew
This construction was representative of the practical, low-cost working schooners that operated throughout the Great Lakes at the turn of the century.
History
Built in 1899 at Chaumont, New York, by Frank Phelps, the Northern Lights entered service under Captain William Shelley Sr. of Cape Vincent, transporting agricultural cargoes to seed companies and local merchants. Later sold to Dexter Dibble of Sackets Harbor, the schooner was operated by his sons Spencer and Sam Dibble, continuing the same regional trade.
In November 1916, while loading gravel at Calf Island, the Northern Lights broke loose from her moorings and drifted east, grounding on a stone bar near Galloo Island at Gill Harbor. There she remained stranded for nearly a year. In 1917, a storm lifted her from the bar, but the battered vessel was swept further into the harbor and ultimately sank in shallow water.
Significant Incidents
- November 1916: Grounded on a stone bar near Galloo Island while loading gravel.
- 1917: Swept further into the harbor and sank after being lifted by a storm.
Final Disposition
The Northern Lights is a total loss, resting at about 3 metres (10 feet) depth in Gill Harbor, Galloo Island.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The hull is largely intact, resting upright in shallow water, with significant sediment coverage but recognizable scow features.
Accessibility: Suitable for recreational divers or shallow-water archaeologists, though conditions may vary with visibility and weather.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”northern-lights-1899″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Northern Lights is an important survivor of the scow schooner era, highlighting the vital role these simple but effective vessels played in Great Lakes commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Its recent discovery offers valuable archaeological insights into scow schooner design and their contribution to regional trade.
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.
NORTHERN LIGHTS (Launched 1899)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northern Lights
- Type: Two-masted scow schooner
- Year Built: 1899
- Builder: Frank Phelps Shipyard, Chaumont, New York
- Original Owner: Captain William Shelley Sr., Cape Vincent, NY
- Later Owner: Dexter Dibble, Sackets Harbor, NY
- Location of Loss: Gill Harbor, Galloo Island, Lake Ontario, New York
- Coordinates: N 43° 54′ 53.99″, W 76° 22′ 53.69″
- Depth of Wreck: Approximately 3 metres (10 feet)
Vessel Type
The Northern Lights was a classic two-masted scow schooner, a flat-bottomed vessel with a squared bow and scow-type stern. These features allowed efficient loading and unloading in shallow harbours and permitted the schooner to rest on beaches without damage. Wide side running boards, an extended bow deck to the foremast, and a stern deck for helming made it ideal for bulk cargoes such as baled hay, peas, beans, and gravel, serving the agricultural and seed trade around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence region.
Description
The Northern Lights was designed for rugged service, with:
- Flat-bottom hull to maximize cargo volume
- Shallow draft to work shallow docks and undeveloped shorelines
- Sweeping wooden helm on the after deck
- Strong, simplified rigging to manage sails with minimal crew
This construction was representative of the practical, low-cost working schooners that operated throughout the Great Lakes at the turn of the century.
History
Built in 1899 at Chaumont, New York, by Frank Phelps, the Northern Lights entered service under Captain William Shelley Sr. of Cape Vincent, transporting agricultural cargoes to seed companies and local merchants. Later sold to Dexter Dibble of Sackets Harbor, the schooner was operated by his sons Spencer and Sam Dibble, continuing the same regional trade.
In November 1916, while loading gravel at Calf Island, the Northern Lights broke loose from her moorings and drifted east, grounding on a stone bar near Galloo Island at Gill Harbor. There she remained stranded for nearly a year. In 1917, a storm lifted her from the bar, but the battered vessel was swept further into the harbor and ultimately sank in shallow water.
Final Disposition
The Northern Lights is a total loss, resting at about 3 metres (10 feet) depth in Gill Harbor, Galloo Island.
Located By & Date Found
In June 2022, US Coast Guard captain Tim Caza and diver Dennis Gerber verified the wreck’s identity. It was also confirmed by the owner of Galloo Island.
Notmars & Advisories
None specifically noted, but caution is recommended for vessels operating near Galloo Island and its shoals.
Current Condition & Accessibility
- Condition: The hull is largely intact, resting upright in shallow water, with significant sediment coverage but recognizable scow features.
- Accessibility: Suitable for recreational divers or shallow-water archaeologists, though conditions may vary with visibility and weather.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Index (BGSU)
- US Coast Guard news releases (2022)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- York University Digital Library: York University Digital Library
- 3DShipwrecks – Northern Lights
- Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber diving documentation www.sonarguy.com
- NOAA 3DModel Release 2 July 2025
Conclusion
The Northern Lights is an important survivor of the scow schooner era, highlighting the vital role these simple but effective vessels played in Great Lakes commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Its recent discovery offers valuable archaeological insights into scow schooner design and their contribution to regional trade.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Wooden scow schooner
- Lake Ontario
- Galloo Island
- Great Lakes shipwreck
- Agricultural cargo
- Frank Phelps Shipyard
- Chaumont NY
- Maritime heritage
- 19th-century trade
If you’d like, I can help you build a diver’s site plan or recommend how to research its construction features — just let me know!
Photos and Collections
3D Model by SLD – Dan Gildea
3D Models
Daggerboard Scow Schooner – Lake Ontario by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab
You must be logged in to post a comment.