Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unidentified Daggerboard Schooner
- Type: Wooden daggerboard schooner
- Year Built: ca. 1820–1840 (estimated)
- Builder: Unknown, Great Lakes region
- Dimensions: Length 55 ft (16.7 m); Beam 15 ft (4.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 50–60 tons (estimated)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 126 m / 415 ft
- Location: Offshore Lake Ontario, U.S. sector
- Coordinates: 43°26.8517′ N, 78°33.1733′ W
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The vessel is classified as a wooden daggerboard schooner, a type of sailing craft designed for efficient operation in shallow waters while maintaining adequate sail power for open-lake navigation.
Description
The wreck is a small, early nineteenth-century wooden daggerboard schooner typical of the trading craft that operated on Lake Ontario before widespread adoption of centerboard designs. The daggerboard trunk is intact and visible amidships, confirming its type. The vessel lies upright and largely intact on a silty bottom, with hull planking, frames, and deck structures remarkably well preserved by the cold, deep, low-oxygen environment.
History
Daggerboard schooners were among the earliest purpose-built lake traders, designed to operate efficiently in shallow water while retaining sufficient sail power for open-lake transit. This unidentified vessel likely dates to the 1820–1840 period, when daggerboard hulls were transitioning to centerboard rigs. No contemporary loss reports precisely match the find, leaving its identity uncertain. The vessel’s build and scale indicate a working trader rather than a fishing or passenger craft.
Significant Incidents
- The cause of loss remains undetermined. The wreck’s position and condition suggest either foundering under adverse weather or deliberate abandonment. The hull rests upright and largely unbroken, with no visible evidence of fire or collision.
Final Disposition
The wreck was discovered by the Deep World exploration team using deep-water side-scan sonar and ROV survey; coordinates confirmed through ShipwreckWorld datasets. The site lies in 415 feet (126 meters) of water offshore in Lake Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No active navigation hazards reported. Site lies beyond typical recreational depth limits. Access restricted to technical dive operations or ROV exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”unidentified-daggerboard-schooner” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Access to the wreck requires an offshore charter and is suitable only for technical divers due to the extreme depth and cold conditions. Remember to respect the site and adhere to legal requirements regarding research and artifact recovery.
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.
[shotline_wreck_presentation]
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Unknown
Official Number: None
Registry: United States (Lake Ontario)
Vessel Type: Wooden daggerboard schooner
Builder: Unknown, Great Lakes region
Year Built: ca. 1820–1840 (estimated)
Dimensions: Length 55 ft (16.7 m); Beam 15 ft (4.6 m)
Tonnage: Approx. 50–60 tons (estimated)
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown
Date of Loss: Unknown
Location: Offshore Lake Ontario, U.S. sector
Coordinates: 43°26.8517′ N, 78°33.1733′ W
Depth: 415 ft (126 m)
Home Port: Unknown
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: Unknown
Description
The wreck is a small, early nineteenth-century wooden daggerboard schooner typical of the trading craft that operated on Lake Ontario before widespread adoption of centerboard designs. The daggerboard trunk is intact and visible amidships, confirming its type. The vessel lies upright and largely intact on a silty bottom, with hull planking, frames, and deck structures remarkably well preserved by the cold, deep, low-oxygen environment.
History
Daggerboard schooners were among the earliest purpose-built lake traders, designed to operate efficiently in shallow water while retaining sufficient sail power for open-lake transit. This unidentified vessel likely dates to the 1820–1840 period, when daggerboard hulls were transitioning to centerboard rigs. No contemporary loss reports precisely match the find, leaving its identity uncertain. The vessel’s build and scale indicate a working trader rather than a fishing or passenger craft.
Final Dispositions
The cause of loss remains undetermined. The wreck’s position and condition suggest either foundering under adverse weather or deliberate abandonment. The hull rests upright and largely unbroken, with no visible evidence of fire or collision.
Located By & Date Found
Discovered by the Deep World exploration team using deep-water side-scan sonar and ROV survey; coordinates confirmed through ShipwreckWorld datasets. The site lies in 415 feet (126 meters) of water offshore in Lake Ontario.
Notmars & Advisories
No active navigation hazards reported. Site lies beyond typical recreational depth limits. Access restricted to technical dive operations or ROV exploration.
Dive Information
Access: Offshore charter required
Entry Point: Technical dive vessel or ROV platform
Conditions: Cold (38–40°F / 3–4°C), low light, excellent visibility
Depth Range: 415 ft (126 m)
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard – Lake Ontario Sector
Permits: Required for research or artifact recovery
Dive Support: Technical diving operations (CCR/Trimix)
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Unknown – no recorded crew or casualty lists associated with this vessel.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Resting upright at 415 feet, the daggerboard schooner is one of the most intact examples of early Great Lakes wooden sailing craft ever located. The daggerboard trunk and hull form clearly identify its type.” — Deep World Expedition Report
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
None located; no registry number or surviving enrollment has been connected to this vessel as of 2025. Further archival research in early U.S. Lake Ontario ship registries may identify it.
Site Documentation & Imaging
High-resolution ROV stills and sonar mosaics are hosted on DeepWorld.org. 3D photogrammetry pending future missions.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Deep World Expedition Page
- ShipwreckWorld Database
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
References
- Deep World. “Daggerboard Schooner – Lake Ontario.” DeepWorld.org, 2024.
- ShipwreckWorld. “Unidentified Daggerboard Schooner, Lake Ontario.” 2024.
- Great Lakes Historical Society Archives, Daggerboard Trade 1810–1850.
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: None
Coordinates: 43°26.8517′ N, 78°33.1733′ W
Depth: 415 ft (126 m)
Location Description: Deep offshore basin, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type: Wooden daggerboard schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 55 ft × 15 ft × unknown depth; approx. 50–60 tons
Condition: Upright, intact, well preserved
Cause of Loss: Unknown (possible foundering)
Discovery Date: 2024
Discovered By: Deep World
Method: Side-scan sonar and ROV survey
Legal Notes: Unidentified; heritage protections apply
Hazards: Extreme depth
Permits Required: Yes, for research and ROV work
The wreck is a small, early nineteenth-century wooden daggerboard schooner typical of the trading craft that operated on Lake Ontario before widespread adoption of centerboard designs.
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2025-11-29 01:33:21