Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Perseverance
- Type: Wooden Propeller Steamer (Grain Carrier)
- Year Built: c. 1860s
- Builder: Unknown — likely built for Welland Railway Co., Canada West
- Dimensions: 177 ft (54 m) × 29 ft (8.8 m) × 11 ft (3.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 800 GRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 107 m / 350 ft
- Location: Lake Ontario — mid-lake between Port Dalhousie and Oswego
- Coordinates: Approx. 43°25′ N / 78°20′ W
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Welland Railway Co.
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Perseverance was a wooden propeller steamer designed primarily for transporting bulk grain cargoes. It was part of the Welland Railway fleet, facilitating trade between Lake Ontario ports.
Description
The Perseverance measured 177 feet in length and was equipped with twin boilers and a single-screw propulsion system. This design marked a transition from wooden lake steamers to the iron-hulled freighters that emerged later in the 19th century.
History
As a member of the Welland Railway fleet, the Perseverance played a crucial role in linking grain terminals across the Niagara Peninsula and Lake Ontario. Its holds were capable of carrying over 20,000 bushels of corn, making it an essential vessel for agricultural transport.
Significant Incidents
- On October 8, 1868, while carrying 20,417 bushels of corn, a fire broke out near the smokestack and boiler room.
- The fire spread rapidly due to strong winds, leading to the vessel being consumed within 15 minutes.
- Survivors were rescued by the Enterprise, the sister ship of the Perseverance.
- Fourteen crew members perished due to fire, exposure, or drowning.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Perseverance lies upright and mostly intact at a depth of approximately 350 feet in Lake Ontario. ROV documentation has revealed well-preserved remains of the engine bed, boiler, and parts of the hull structure, making it a significant archaeological site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The cold, oxygen-poor conditions of Lake Ontario have significantly slowed the decay of the wreck, preserving it as an important site for studying 19th-century steam engineering.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”perseverance” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Perseverance remains a notable maritime disaster in Lake Ontario’s history. The wreck continues to provide insights into early steamship design and engineering, thanks to ongoing exploration and documentation efforts.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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