Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Twilight (1873)

Explore the history of the Twilight, a wooden schooner lost to fire in 1891 at Tyrconnell Dock, Lake Erie. Discover its construction, service, and the mystery surrounding its final moments.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Twilight
  • Type: Wooden, two-masted schooner
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: W. Redmond, Picton, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length: 106 ft (32.3 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 173 T
  • Location: Tyrconnell Dock, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
  • Original Owners: Unknown
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Twilight was a medium-sized Canadian schooner, built in Picton, Ontario, in 1873 by W. Redmond. She was designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes, likely carrying lumber, grain, coal, or other bulk materials between ports in Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

Description

The vessel was registered out of Toronto, indicating she was primarily used for Canadian coastal and cross-border trade.

History

On September 5, 1891, the Twilight was destroyed by fire at Tyrconnell Dock, on the northern shore of Lake Erie. No specific details are recorded about the cause of the fire. Possible causes could include accidental ignition from cargo or onboard equipment, dockside fire spreading to the vessel, or sabotage or insurance-related arson (not uncommon for aging wooden ships). No confirmed loss of life is reported, but records are incomplete.

Significant Incidents

  • Declared a total loss after the fire.
  • No salvage efforts are documented.
  • No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage.
  • No confirmed wreck site.
  • Given that she burned at a dock, any remains were likely removed or deteriorated over time.

Final Disposition

Tyrconnell, Ontario, was a small but active shipping and fishing port during the late 19th century, making it a likely location for other vessel losses as well.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Twilight was a well-built Great Lakes schooner, serving for nearly 20 years before her destruction by fire at Tyrconnell Dock in 1891. While no remains of the vessel have been found, her loss is part of the larger history of Canadian schooners that once dominated Great Lakes commerce.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”twilight-1873″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

As divers, we encourage you to respect the history of the Twilight and the waters of Lake Erie. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories, ensuring that the legacy of this vessel is preserved for future generations.

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.

Schooner Twilight (1873–1891)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Twilight
  • Other Names: None recorded
  • Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden, two-masted schooner
  • Builder: W. Redmond, Picton, Ontario
  • Year Built & Launched: 1873
  • Specifications:  Length: 106 ft (32.3 m)  Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 173 T
  • Date Lost: September 5, 1891
  • Location of Loss: Tyrconnell Dock, Lake Erie
  • Cause of Loss: Fire, total loss
  • Loss of Life: Unknown
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Description & History

The Twilight was a medium-sized Canadian schooner, built in Picton, Ontario, in 1873 by W. Redmond. She was designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes, likely carrying lumber, grain, coal, or other bulk materials between ports in Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

The vessel was registered out of Toronto, indicating she was primarily used for Canadian coastal and cross-border trade.

Final Incident & Loss

On September 5, 1891, the Twilight was destroyed by fire at Tyrconnell Dock, on the northern shore of Lake Erie. No specific details are recorded about the cause of the fire. Possible causes could include: Accidental ignition from cargo or onboard equipment. Dockside fire spreading to the vessel. Sabotage or insurance-related arson (not uncommon for aging wooden ships). No confirmed loss of life is reported, but records are incomplete.

Final Disposition & Salvage

  • Declared a total loss after the fire.
  • No salvage efforts are documented.
  • No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage.
  • No confirmed wreck site.
  • Given that she burned at a dock, any remains were likely removed or deteriorated over time.

Notmars & Advisories

Tyrconnell, Ontario, was a small but active shipping and fishing port during the late 19th century, making it a likely location for other vessel losses as well.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Twilight was a well-built Great Lakes schooner, serving for nearly 20 years before her destruction by fire at Tyrconnell Dock in 1891. While no remains of the vessel have been found, her loss is part of the larger history of Canadian schooners that once dominated Great Lakes commerce.

twilight-1873 1891-09-05 07:55:00