Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.A. Glover
- Type: ship
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 162 tons
- Location: Lighthouse Point, Lake Ontario
- Number of Masts: Newly installed mast around 1861
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Ship
Description
The W.A. Glover, originally named Velocity, was built in 1842 in Buffalo, New York. It was later rebuilt and renamed around 1861, featuring a newly installed mast. At the time of its loss, it was registered under the Canadian flag.
History
The W.A. Glover had a service history that included transporting cargo, specifically wheat and peas, until its loss in October 1867. The vessel was caught in a storm shortly after departing from Toronto and was driven ashore at Lighthouse Point.
Significant Incidents
- Loss of the mainmast during the storm.
- Grounding near Toronto due to severe weather conditions.
- Hull failure caused by cargo swelling and water absorption, leading to structural rupture.
- Declared a total loss with no salvage efforts noted.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the W.A. Glover remains where it grounded at Lighthouse Point. It has not been salvaged and is considered a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern archaeological survey has specifically documented the W.A. Glover among mapped wreck sites. The wreck likely lies close to shore on a rocky bottom, exposed to wave action.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-a-glover-velocity” title=”References & Links”]
The W.A. Glover serves as a reminder of the maritime challenges faced in the 19th century. Future archaeological efforts may provide more insights into its remains and the circumstances of its loss.
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.
Vessel Identity & Registry
- Original Name: Velocity, built in 1842 at Buffalo, New York
- Rebuilt & Renamed: Became W.A. Glover around 1861, with a newly installed mast (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
- Tonnage: Approximately 162 tons
- Cargo at Loss: Wheat and peas
- Registry: Under Canadian flag at time of loss in October 1867 (trcaca.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com, ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
Wreck Event Overview (October 1867)
- Shortly after departure from Toronto/Lighthouse Point, Glover was caught in a storm, driven ashore at Lighthouse Point, Lake Ontario (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
- Hull failure occurred as the cargo absorbed water and swelled, causing structural rupture (“burst in several places”) (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
- Declared a total loss—wreck remained where she grounded; no salvage noted (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
Newspaper & Secondary Accounts
- The incident was chronicled in several period sources, including the Detroit Free Press’ ”Marine Disasters for 1867″ (December 20) and J.B. Mansfield’s History of the Great Lakes (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
- These confirm the arcing event: loss of the mainmast, grounding near Toronto, bursting hull, and unrecoverable status (ships.navalmarinearchive.com)
Hydrographic & Archaeological Context
- Lighthouse Point on Lake Ontario was routinely surveyed in the 1850s–1870s by the U.S. and Canadian Hydrographic Offices (mymeaculpa.net)
- However, no modern archaeological survey specifically notes W.A. Glover among mapped wreck sites
- The wreck likely lies close to shore, on rocky bottom, exposed to wave action and not formally documented in dive records
Summary of Findings
| Item | Findings |
|---|---|
| Launch & later rebuild | 1842 (as Velocity); rebuilt and renamed ~1861 |
| Loss location | Lighthouse Point, Lake Ontario |
| Date of wreck | October 1867 |
| Cause of wreck | Storm – grounding & cargo swelling ruptured hull |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Salvage outcome | Declared total loss; likely hull remains inshore debris |
| Archaeological status | No formal survey data; potential candidate for future mapping |
Recommended Next Steps
- Newspaper archives (Oct–Dec 1867)
- Toronto Globe, Evening Mail, Detroit Free Press may include eyewitness accounts, crew names, salvage actions, or local reaction.
- Registry documentation & vessel rebuild files
- Canadian shipping records circa 1861 could confirm the renaming event and technical specs post-rebuild.
- Hydrographic survey research
- Review 1850s–1860s charts for any shoal/reef markings near Lighthouse Point—contextualizes possible final resting position.
- Archaeological reconnaissance
- A shallow dive or side-scan survey near grounding site may reveal structural remains.