Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Orcadian
- Type: two-masted Canadian schooner
- Year Built: circa mid-1850s
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Huron / Lake Ontario corridor
- Original Owners: Rae & Bros., Hamilton, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted Canadian schooner.
Description
The Orcadian was a two-masted schooner built in the mid-1850s. At the time of her loss, she was carrying a cargo of 8,200 bushels of wheat from Bayfield, Ontario, to Oswego, New York.
History
Owned by Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario, the Orcadian was captained by James Corrigal. The vessel met her fate on May 8, 1858, during a collision with the schooner Lucy J. Latham, which was outbound from Oswego with a cargo of salt bound for Chicago.
Significant Incidents
- In the early morning of May 8, 1858, the Orcadian collided with the Lucy J. Latham under darkness or pre-dawn conditions.
- As the Orcadian began to sink, her rigging snagged on the Latham‘s bowsprit, causing the latter’s stern to lift significantly before the Orcadian sank.
Final Disposition
The Orcadian sank rapidly after the collision, and no salvage attempts were recorded. She was declared a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Orcadian remains undocumented, with no modern dive or archaeological verification existing.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”orcadian-c1855″ title=”References & Links”]
The collision of the Orcadian and Lucy J. Latham serves as a reminder of the navigational hazards faced during overnight cargo operations on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century.
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.
(built ca. mid‑1850s; lost May 8, 1858)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Orcadian (two-masted Canadian schooner)
- Year Built: circa mid‑1850s (exact build details not recorded)
- Cargo at Loss: 8,200 bushels of wheat
- Voyage: Bound from Bayfield, Ontario (Lake Huron) to Oswego, New York (Lake Ontario)
- Loss Date: May 8, 1858
- Loss Location: In open water (Lake Huron/Ontario corridor)
Circumstances of Loss
- In the very early morning of May 8, 1858, Orcadian collided with the schooner Lucy J. Latham, which was outbound from Oswego with salt bound for Chicago. The collision occurred under darkness or pre-dawn conditions as the vessels crossed paths head-on. (shipwreckstories, Shipwreck World)
- As Orcadian began to sink, her rigging snagged on Lucy J. Latham’s bowsprit, which caused Latham’s stern to lift 10–12 ft. The impact eventually broke Latham’s bowsprit and sent Orcadian to the bottom. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Casualties
- No lives lost—crew of both vessels were rescued safely. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Ownership & Master
- Owned by Rae & Bros., Hamilton, Ontario
- Master: Captain James Corrigal (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Orcadian sank rapidly after the collision. The sudden nature of the sinking and entanglement with Latham suggests she went down in deep water.
- No salvage attempts are recorded; she was declared a total loss.
Wreck Location
- The wreck site remains undocumented; no modern dive or archaeological verification exists.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Orcadian |
| Cargo | 8,200 bu wheat |
| Loss Date | May 8, 1858 |
| Route | Bayfield, Ont. → Oswego, NY |
| Loss Location | Lake Huron / Lake Ontario corridor |
| Collision Vessel | Lucy J. Latham (schooner, salt cargo to Chicago) |
| Cause | Mid‑lake collision; sinking after rigging entanglement |
| Casualties | None |
| Owner | Rae & Bros., Hamilton, Ontario |
| Master | Capt. James Corrigal |
| Loss Outcome | Sank; total loss |
| Wreck Located | Not confirmed; suspected deep-water site |
Historical Significance & Context
- The Orcadian–Lucy J. Latham collision is noted for the dramatic entanglement of rigging, where the latter vessel’s stern lifted significantly—highlighting the force of the impact. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, shipwreckstories)
- The incident underscores navigational hazards during overnight cargo operations on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century.