Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas Clark Street
- Type: Three-masted wooden bark
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Lewis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Detailed dimensions not recorded
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Wellington, Ontario
- Official Number: 74372
- Original Owners: Registered out of Kincardine, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden, three-masted bark (sailing vessel).
Description
Constructed in 1869 by renowned Canadian shipbuilder Lewis Shickluna, the Thomas Clark Street was a sizable, robust bark primarily used for coastal trade. Detailed specs are not available, but as a bark, she featured complex rigging and substantial cargo capacity.
History
Over three decades, she served in the sail-driven trades of the Great Lakes and Lake Ontario. In May 1876, she capsized on Lake Erie—a hallmark incident—resulting in the loss of at least five crew. Amazingly, the vessel was salvaged and returned to active service.
In December 1902, she encountered a severe storm off Wellington, Ontario. The final wreck involved shoreline wrecking and abandonment after stranding. Her mastheads were later salvaged, but the hull was left wrecked for good (navalmarinearchive.com).
Significant Incidents
- May 1876: Capsized on Lake Erie, resulting in the loss of at least five crew members.
- December 2, 1902: Stranded and wrecked during a severe storm near Wellington, Ontario.
Final Disposition
The vessel was wrecked near Wellington in December 1902. Her remains were largely abandoned in place, with only partial salvaged rigging.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal dive or archaeological surveys have been documented. Submerged debris may still exist near shore.
No official markers denote the wreck site. The coastline near Wellington remains hazardous during winter storms, with rocky shoals.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”thomas-clark-street-us-74372″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Thomas Clark Street endured a long and eventful career—capsizing with loss of life in 1876, yet returning to service for another 26 years. Her final demise in 1902 during a winter storm near Wellington typifies the perils wooden sailing vessels faced in coastal navigation. Though largely forgotten today, she remains part of Ontario’s maritime heritage and Sawyer’s broader recovery stories.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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