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.

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: William Elgin (initially Catherine upon rebuild)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1853 (rebuilt and renamed in 1871 as William Elgin)
• Construction Location: Mill Point, Ontario
• Home Port: Picton, Ontario
• Dimensions & Tonnage: Registered Tonnage: 156 tons Capacity: 12,000 bushels

Vessel Type Description:

The William Elgin was a traditional wooden schooner, a common design for Great Lakes cargo vessels in the 19th century. Its robust build and sizable capacity made it well-suited for transporting bulk goods like wheat, barley, and coal across the waterways of the Great Lakes and surrounding regions.

History:

Initial Construction: Built in 1853 as the Catherine under the ownership of James Collins in Picton, Ontario. Rebuilt in 1871 and renamed the William Elgin.

Early Mishaps:

• October 1871: Ran aground at Duck Island in Lake Ontario while carrying barley, shortly after launching.
• 1872: Went ashore three miles below Big Sandy Creek near Oswego, New York, while laden with wheat.

Continued Service:

• The schooner operated on routes such as Port Stanley to Cleveland by 1875.
• Ownership changes included Sanford Baker of Belleville, Ontario, in 1876.

Major Incidents:

• March 24, 1876: A fire damaged the vessel in Port Stanley, but it was repaired.
• September 10, 1881: Ran aground at Duck Island again, this time carrying iron ore.
• May 19, 1888: Sprang a leak and sank en route from Oswego, New York, to Belleville with 3,000 tons of coal. The crew was rescued by the steamer Ocean Wave.

Salvage and Later Ownership:

• After foundering on November 20, 1887, in Lake Ontario, the vessel was salvaged. Ownership passed to William and James Savage of Wellington, Ontario, in February 1888.

Rediscovery: In 2020, the wreck was located by www.sonarguy.com, confirming its final resting place in Lake Ontario.

Final Disposition:

The William Elgin experienced numerous incidents throughout its operational life, reflecting the challenges faced by Great Lakes schooners. Its final sinking on May 19, 1888, while carrying coal, marked the end of its active service. Despite salvage attempts after earlier sinkings, the vessel ultimately succumbed to the waters of Lake Ontario.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

The wreck of the William Elgin lies in Lake Ontario, discovered by www.sonarguy.com in 2020. While the exact depth and condition are not detailed, its rediscovery adds a vital piece to the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links:

• SonarGuy.com: Detailed information on the rediscovery of the William Elgin wreck.
• List of Vessels on the Registry Books of the Dominion of Canada (1886): Historical data on ownership and registration.
  

3D Model by www.sonarguy.com

William Elgin – Lake Ontario by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

Analysis:

The William Elgin represents the resilience and vulnerability of 19th-century Great Lakes schooners. Despite numerous repairs, groundings, and ownership changes, the vessel continued to serve as a key part of regional commerce. Its final years, marked by repeated sinkings and salvage attempts, underscore the risks of maritime trade on the often treacherous Great Lakes. Rediscovered in 2020, the wreck provides a tangible link to the maritime heritage of the region.

Keywords:

William Elgin, Catherine, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Great Lakes Schooner, Picton Ontario, Duck Island, 19th Century Maritime Trade, Sonar Discovery.

Conclusion:

The William Elgin remains a significant historical vessel, illustrating the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. From its origins as the Catherine to its rediscovery in 2020, the schooner’s legacy endures, offering a window into the rich history of shipping and trade in the region.

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