Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: PERSEVERANCE
- Type: Wooden-hulled Propeller Freighter
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Louis Shickluna
- Dimensions: 177 ft (54 m); Beam: 31 ft; Depth of hold: 12 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 632
- Location: Near Pultneyville, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Perseverance was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter built for the grain trade on Lake Ontario. It was part of the Welland Railway Line and played a key role in transporting agricultural goods, particularly grain, between Ontario and New York ports. The vessel featured two decks and was powered by a robust single-cylinder steam engine coupled with a single propeller. Its large cargo capacity of over 20,000 bushels of grain underscored its importance in regional commerce.
Description
The PERSEVERANCE primarily transported grain and other bulk goods, serving the bustling trade routes of Lake Ontario. Frequently voyaged between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York, carrying goods essential to the region’s economy.
History
The PERSEVERANCE was engaged in the grain trade, transporting significant quantities of agricultural products across Lake Ontario. Its operational area was primarily between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Incident: October 6, 1868 Cargo: 20,147 bushels of corn Circumstances: While underway near Pultneyville, New York, the PERSEVERANCE caught fire. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the vessel. Despite efforts to save the ship and crew, the flames proved overwhelming.
Final Disposition
- Fatalities: 14 crew members, including Captain John FitzGibbons
- Survivors: 5 crew members rescued by the sister ship ENTERPRISE
- Damage: The vessel burned to the waterline and was declared a total loss.
- Cause: The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the PERSEVERANCE have not been officially located. Given that the vessel burned to the waterline, it is unlikely that substantial wreckage remains intact. The site, near Pultneyville, New York, is of historical interest for maritime archaeologists and historians.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”perseverance-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The PERSEVERANCE serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by early freighters on the Great Lakes and the bravery of the sailors who navigated these perilous waters.
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 & SITE INFORMATION
- Name: PERSEVERANCE
- Type: Wooden-hulled Propeller Freighter
- Built: 1864, Saint Catharines, Ontario
- Builder: Louis Shickluna
- Dimensions:
- Length: 177 feet
- Beam: 31 feet
- Depth: 12 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 632
- Capacity: 750 tons
- Engine: Single-cylinder steam engine (530 horsepower) by John Gartshore, Dundas, Ontario
- Boilers: Two boilers, each 26 feet by 8 feet, containing 100 flues
- Operational Area: Lake Ontario, primarily between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York
- Final Location: Near Pultneyville, New York
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Perseverance was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter built for the grain trade on Lake Ontario. It was part of the Welland Railway Line and played a key role in transporting agricultural goods, particularly grain, between Ontario and New York ports. The vessel featured two decks and was powered by a robust single-cylinder steam engine coupled with a single propeller. Its large cargo capacity of over 20,000 bushels of grain underscored its importance in regional commerce.
HISTORY
The PERSEVERANCE primarily transported grain and other bulk goods, serving the bustling trade routes of Lake Ontario. Frequently voyaged between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York, carrying goods essential to the region’s economy.
FINAL VOYAGE & DISASTER
- Date of Incident: October 6, 1868
- Cargo: 20,147 bushels of corn
- Circumstances:
While underway near Pultneyville, New York, the PERSEVERANCE caught fire. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the vessel. Despite efforts to save the ship and crew, the flames proved overwhelming.
Outcome:
- Fatalities: 14 crew members, including Captain John FitzGibbons
- Survivors: 5 crew members rescued by the sister ship ENTERPRISE
- Damage: The vessel burned to the waterline and was declared a total loss.
- Cause: The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
SIGNIFICANCE
The loss of the PERSEVERANCE marked a significant tragedy in Lake Ontario’s maritime history. The high number of fatalities, coupled with the loss of valuable cargo, underscored the dangers faced by early steam-powered vessels. The disaster highlighted the importance of safety measures for steamships, which were prone to fires due to their wooden construction and coal-fired boilers.
CURRENT CONDITION
The remains of the PERSEVERANCE have not been officially located. Given that the vessel burned to the waterline, it is unlikely that substantial wreckage remains intact. The site, near Pultneyville, New York, is of historical interest for maritime archaeologists and historians.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.
- St. Catharines Constitutional Archives: Historical records of the vessel’s construction and service.
- Daily Journal (St. Catharines, ON): October 7, 1868 issue detailing the fire and rescue efforts.
- Statement of Wreck & Casualty (Dept. of Marine & Fisheries, 1870): Official documentation of the incident.
The PERSEVERANCE serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by early freighters on the Great Lakes and the bravery of the sailors who navigated these perilous waters.
perseverance-1864 1868-10-06 07:48:00