Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Princess Alexandra
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: Pierson's shipyard, Orleans, New York
- Dimensions: 119 ft × 25 ft × 10 ft; 288 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 288 tons
- Location: Port Burwell, Ontario
- Official Number: C33582
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner primarily used for bulk cargo transport.
Description
The Princess Alexandra, originally named Marshfield, was a wooden schooner built in 1853. It was renamed in 1863 and primarily operated as a bulk cargo carrier, transporting heavy materials across Lake Erie.
History
The schooner was involved in the transportation of various goods, including lumber and railroad ties, indicating its role in supporting post-railway construction supply chains.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: On September 25, 1881, the Princess Alexandra was driven ashore during a severe storm at Port Burwell, Ontario.
- Cargo at Loss: The vessel was carrying railroad ties at the time of its loss.
- Casualties: No casualties were recorded during the incident.
- Vessel Fate: The schooner broke up on the reef within a week and was declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Princess Alexandra was a result of storm conditions, leading to its total loss shortly after being driven ashore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it is confirmed as a total loss.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”princess-alexandra-c-33582″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research into local newspaper archives and shipping logs may provide additional insights into the Princess Alexandra’s operational history and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
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.
(wooden schooner, 1853–1881)
- Built: 1853 in Pierson (Pierson’s shipyard), Orleans, New York
- Original Name: Marshfield; renamed Princess Alexandra (also recorded as Princess Alexandria or Princess Alexander) in 1863
- Official No.: C33582
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Dimensions: 119 ft × 25 ft × 10 ft; 288 tons
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Wreck – September 25, 1881
- Date: September 25, 1881
- Location: Driven ashore during a severe storm at Port Burwell, Ontario, on Lake Erie
- Cargo at Loss: Railroad ties
- Casualties: None recorded
- Vessel Fate: Broke up on the reef within a week; declared total loss
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Operational Context
- The schooner primarily operated as a bulk cargo carrier, hauling heavy materials like lumber, ties, and possibly general freight across Lake Erie
- Her final cargo—rail ties—indicates involvement in post-railway construction supply chains
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1853 (Pierson, NY) |
| Renamed | 1863 (from Marshfield) |
| Type | Two-masted wooden schooner |
| Tonnage | 288 tons |
| Lost | Sep 25, 1881, Port Burwell |
| Cargo | Railroad ties |
| Casualties | None |
| Outcome | Storm wreckage; total loss |
Suggested Next Research Steps
To complete the narrative and human details, I recommend:
- Local Newspaper Archives (Port Burwell, Sep 1881):
- Port Burwell Gazette or Tillsonburg News likely covered the wreck, storm conditions, and salvage efforts.
- Insurance Records:
- Underwriters (Chatham, London) may have claim documents noting vessel valuation and loss.
- Port & Customs Registries:
- Shipping logs may record the schooner’s owner at the time (likely a rail contractor or maritime merchant).