W.W. Grant (1867)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: W.W. Grant
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: David Foster and Elijah McConnell
• Dimensions: Length: 100 ft (30.5 m); Beam: 21.6 ft (6.6 m); Depth of hold: 7.1 ft (2.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 163 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 2.2 m / 7.1 ft
• Location: Lake Ontario (exact coordinates unknown)
• Original Owners: David Foster, Elijah McConnell, E. McConnell, Elijah Titus, George Craig, W. McBooney, A. McDermond, Alfred Eccles, A.M. Diamond, Simpson, T.S. Burley
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The W.W. Grant was a two-masted wooden schooner constructed in Port Burwell, Ontario, in 1867. With a single deck and a net tonnage of 163 tons, it was designed to carry bulk goods such as grain and lumber across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the W.W. Grant were versatile vessels, relied upon for regional trade during the 19th century, when waterways were critical for economic activity.

Description

The ownership history of the W.W. Grant reflects the dynamic nature of Great Lakes maritime commerce during the late 19th century. The vessel’s successive transfers of ownership reveal shifts in regional trade demands and the challenges of maintaining profitability. The W.W. Grant began its service in 1867 under the ownership of its builders, David Foster and Elijah McConnell, and quickly became a part of the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes.

History

The W.W. Grant underwent numerous ownership changes throughout its operational life, moving from individual proprietors to partnerships. These shifts often reflected the schooner’s ability to adapt to the economic needs of its owners, such as carrying grain, lumber, or other bulk goods. By the 1880s, the schooner was owned by T.S. Burley and others from Ernestown, Ontario. Despite its troubled history, it continued to operate on the lakes until its final sinking in 1885.

Significant Incidents

• 1870: Ran aground at Port Elgin while carrying 5,000 bushels of barley but was successfully refloated.
• 1871: Stranded on Chantry Island, Lake Huron, during a voyage to Oswego, New York. Salvaged and returned to service.
• 1872: Ran aground on the east shore of Lake Michigan.
• 1878: Grounded in Oswego, New York, further adding to its list of challenges.

Final Disposition

On a voyage in June 1885, the W.W. Grant sank in Lake Ontario. The specific circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but no record of loss of life has been noted. The schooner’s long history of accidents and repairs likely contributed to its eventual demise, a common fate for aging wooden vessels in the competitive and hazardous Great Lakes shipping industry.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The W.W. Grant’s wreck site is located in Lake Ontario, but specific details regarding its current condition and accessibility for divers are not documented.

Resources & Links

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The W.W. Grant is emblematic of the life cycle of a 19th-century schooner on the Great Lakes: built to meet the demands of a growing economy, enduring frequent groundings and salvage operations, and ultimately succumbing to the challenges of its environment. Its history is a reflection of the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and their crews, as well as the dynamic nature of maritime commerce in the region.