Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Union
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: J. Glover, Port Ryerse, Ontario
- Dimensions: 71 ft x 18 ft x 7 ft (21.6 m x 5.5 m x 2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 72 tons
- Location: Near Rondeau, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Canadian registry (exact number unknown)
- Original Owners: Charles Aid et al. or possibly Captain Voight
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Union was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel for Great Lakes trade during the 19th century. These schooners were ideal for transporting bulk cargoes, such as lumber, grain, and coal, between ports on Lake Erie and beyond. Their shallow draft allowed them to access smaller harbors and navigate river mouths efficiently.
Description
Built in 1873 at Port Ryerse, Ontario, by J. Glover, the Union was a small but functional cargo schooner, primarily engaged in lumber transport. Operating out of Port Dover, she made frequent trips between Ontario and Michigan ports, supplying materials for construction and industry.
On September 17, 1886, while en route from Tyrconnell, Ontario, to Detroit, the Union was caught in a violent storm near Rondeau, Ontario. The high winds dismasted the vessel, leaving it helpless against the waves. It ran aground on the shoreline, where it was pounded by the surf overnight. By September 18, the schooner was completely broken apart and lost.
Despite the severity of the wreck, no loss of life was reported, indicating that the crew likely managed to reach safety.
History
The Union was primarily engaged in the lumber trade, a vital industry in the Great Lakes region during the 19th century. Her operational history reflects the importance of small schooners in transporting goods across the lakes, particularly lumber from Ontario to various ports.
Significant Incidents
- September 17, 1886: Caught in a storm near Rondeau, Ontario, leading to dismasting and grounding.
- September 18, 1886: The vessel was reported completely broken apart and lost.
Final Disposition
The Union was destroyed beyond recovery and likely scattered along the shoreline near Rondeau. Some remnants may have been salvaged, but no significant wreckage has been reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented. Rondeau is known for its shifting sands and strong storms, which have claimed multiple ships over the years. No modern navigational hazards linked to this wreck exist.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”union-873″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Union was one of many small lumber schooners that played a vital role in Great Lakes trade. Her destruction near Rondeau in 1886 underscores the dangers of storms on Lake Erie, particularly for small sailing vessels. While no confirmed wreck site exists today, the Union remains a historical example of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce and maritime hazards.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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