Twin Brother (pre-1856)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Twin Brother
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Niagara Point, Niagara River, Ontario, Canada
• Original Owners: H.N. Gates
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Two-masted wooden schooner

Description

The Twin Brother was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner engaged in the transport of iron blooms and ore across the Great Lakes. While specific dimensions and construction details are not documented, vessels of this type typically measured between 30 to 40 metres (100 to 130 feet) in length and were designed for bulk cargo transport.

History

In October 1856, the Twin Brother ran aground at Niagara Point in the Niagara River while carrying a cargo of iron blooms destined for K. Sherman in Buffalo, New York. Contemporary reports from the Buffalo Daily Republic and the Cleveland Herald indicate that the vessel was scuttled to prevent further damage, with the cargo and vessel both insured. The schooner was reported as lying easy on the reef, but no immediate salvage efforts were undertaken.

Significant Incidents

• Grounded at Niagara Point in October 1856.
• Scuttled to prevent further damage after grounding.

Final Disposition

The Twin Brother was scuttled after grounding on Niagara Reef. There is no record of salvage or recovery, suggesting the vessel was a total loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no records indicating that the remains of the Twin Brother have been discovered or documented after her scuttling.

Resources & Links

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The Twin Brother‘s grounding and subsequent scuttling at Niagara Point in 1856 highlight the navigational challenges faced by schooners transporting heavy cargoes on the Great Lakes. While the exact location of the wreck remains unknown, historical newspaper accounts provide valuable insights into the incident.