Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Queen of the Bay
- Type: Scow schooner
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: George Thurston, Kingston, Ontario
- Dimensions: 69.8 ft × 16.8 ft × 6.1 ft (21.3 m × 5.1 m × 1.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 73 tons (later 75 tons)
- Location: Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Official Number: Not listed
- Original Owners: Jas. Campbell & Co. (1860), Patrick Harty (1863), E. Yott (1878)
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Queen of the Bay was a wooden scow schooner, characterized by her square stern and two masts. She was designed for bulk trade, primarily carrying timber and grain on Lake Ontario.
Description
The Queen of the Bay was launched in Kingston, Ontario in 1858 by builder George Thurston. With a length of 69.8 feet, a beam of 16.8 feet, and a depth of 6.1 feet, she was classified as a small-to-medium schooner. Her construction and tonnage of 73 tons (later re-registered at 75 tons) made her suitable for the timber and grain trade.
History
Ownership records indicate that by 1860, the Queen of the Bay was registered to Jas. Campbell & Co. of Kingston. In 1863, she was transferred to Patrick Harty of Kingston, and by 1878, she was recorded under E. Yott of Wolfe Island, Ontario. Throughout her operational history, she regularly transported timber and general cargoes across Lake Ontario.
Significant Incidents
– November 1867: The Queen of the Bay was wrecked near Oswego, New York, during a late-season gale while carrying timber. No loss of life was reported, and the vessel was declared a total wreck.
Final Disposition
The Queen of the Bay was driven ashore during a storm, resulting in her total loss. The incident occurred during the notorious November storm season on the Great Lakes, known for its severe weather conditions.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, no archaeological wreck site for the Queen of the Bay has been located. The vessel is considered a total loss, and her wreck site remains uncharted.
Resources & Links
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The Queen of the Bay serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy November season. Her story highlights the importance of maritime history in understanding the region’s past.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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