William Elgin (Catherine)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: William Elgin (initially Catherine upon rebuild)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1853 (rebuilt and renamed in 1871 as William Elgin)
• Builder: Mill Point, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 156 tons Capacity: 12,000 bushels
• Location: Lake Ontario
• Original Owners: James Collins, Sanford Baker, William and James Savage

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

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.

Description

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.

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.

Significant Incidents

• October 1871: Ran aground at Duck Island in Lake Ontario while carrying barley.
• 1872: Went ashore near Oswego, New York, while laden with wheat.
• March 24, 1876: A fire damaged the vessel in Port Stanley.
• September 10, 1881: Ran aground at Duck Island again, this time carrying iron ore.
• May 19, 1888: Sprang a leak and sank while carrying coal; crew rescued by Ocean Wave.

Final Disposition

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.

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

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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.