Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Shandon
- Type: Barkentine
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Melancthon Simpson, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 140 ft (42.7 m); Beam 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross 374; Net 330
- Location: Wingfield Basin, Georgian Bay
- Official Number: 72713
- Original Owners: Patrick Larkin and associates
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A three-masted barkentine combining square sails forward with fore-and-aft sails on the main and mizzen—common on the Great Lakes for efficient handling with modest crews.
Description
A wooden cargo vessel of the late 19th century, set up to carry general freight—including grain and lumber—throughout Ontario. Its modest size made it ideal for both port calls and lake crossings.
History
- 1874: Launched by Simpson in St. Catharines; began service under Patrick Larkin’s ownership.
- 1874–1884: Employed broadly in regional bulk trades across Lake Ontario and Huron.
Significant Incidents
In October 1884, Shandon sailed into Georgian Bay and encountered adverse conditions near Cabot Head. She foundered in Wingfield Basin—likely due to storm or leakage—and was lost. No major loss of life reported, though specific details are scarce.
Final Disposition
The vessel foundered in Wingfield Basin and was abandoned. No modern surveys have located the wreck; any remains are presumed to be deteriorated or buried in the basin.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No remains identified; access to the approximate area in Wingfield Basin is possible, but visibility and wreck visibility are unverified.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”shandon-1874″ title=”References & Links”]
Shandon exemplifies a mid-19th-century barkentine that met her end upon the treacherous reefs and sudden weather shifts of northern Georgian Bay. While her physical remains have not been located, her story highlights the perils faced by wooden sailing ships on the Great Lakes and enriches the tapestry of Ontario’s maritime heritage.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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