Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Wings of the Morning
• Type: two-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1854
• Builder: William Jones, Black River (now Lorain), Ohio
• Dimensions: 132 ft (40.2 m) length x 26 ft (7.9 m) beam x 11 ft (3.4 m) depth
• Registered Tonnage: 340 tons
• Location: Near Port Colborne, Ontario
• Official Number: 26754
• Original Owners: Winslow of Buffalo, New York
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wings of the Morning was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common type of cargo vessel on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, primarily used for transporting bulk materials as lumber, grain, and staves.

Description

Launched in 1854, the Wings of the Morning was a sturdy wooden schooner designed to navigate the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. With a length of 132 feet and a tonnage of 340, she was moderately sized, capable of handling significant cargo loads. The schooner underwent major repairs in 1860, suggesting that she had seen considerable use in her first few years of service and remained a valuable asset in the shipping industry.

History

Owned by Winslow of Buffalo, New York, the Wings of the Morning was engaged in the transportation of staves—a crucial material for barrel-making, which was an important industry in the Great Lakes region during the 19th century. The vessel operated during a period of significant maritime activity on Lake Erie, with many schooners like her serving the booming trade networks between American and Canadian ports.

In mid-October 1865, while carrying a cargo of staves, the Wings of the Morning collided with another schooner, the Marion Egan, near Port Colborne, Ontario. The collision occurred during stormy conditions, exacerbating the difficulty of controlling the vessels. After the collision, both schooners drifted out of control and eventually ran aground.

The Wings of the Morning suffered catastrophic damage when her back broke—a term used to describe the structural failure of a ship’s keel or main deck, rendering it non-salvageable. The vessel was declared a total loss. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.

Significant Incidents

• Mid-October 1865: Collided with the Marion Egan during stormy conditions near Port Colborne, Ontario.
• Resulted in catastrophic damage and declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

The Wings of the Morning was wrecked near Port Colborne, Ontario, after colliding with the Marion Egan. The vessel was declared a total loss after breaking apart onshore. No significant salvage efforts were recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil return.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The loss of the Wings of the Morning highlights the risks faced by schooners navigating the crowded and often stormy waters of Lake Erie during the 19th century. Collisions were a frequent hazard in an era before modern navigation aids and weather forecasting. Despite undergoing significant repairs in 1860, the schooner met her end just five years later due to the combination of a collision and adverse weather conditions. Her wreck near Port Colborne is part of the rich maritime history of Lake Erie, which has seen countless vessels lost under similar circumstances.