Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: York Packet (formerly Comet)
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not documented
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Niagara, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The York Packet, previously named the Comet, was a wooden schooner integral to the growing trade and passenger networks on Lake Ontario. Its renaming suggests a change in ownership or operational purpose during its service life.
Description
The York Packet was a key player in Lake Ontario’s maritime trade, serving routes between York (now Toronto), Kingston, and Niagara.
History
During the November 1820 gale, the York Packet was driven ashore near Niagara, Ontario. The schooner sustained severe damage during the storm and was declared unfit for further service, marking the end of its operational life.
Significant Incidents
- The York Packet was grounded and heavily damaged during a gale in November 1820.
- It was subsequently abandoned due to its unfit condition for further service.
Final Disposition
The York Packet was grounded and heavily damaged, leading to its abandonment. Salvage efforts likely focused on recovering usable materials, as was common practice for wrecked vessels during this era.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No remains of the York Packet have been located or documented in modern times. It is presumed that the wreck deteriorated over time or was salvaged shortly after the incident.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”york-packet-comet” title=”References & Links”]
The severe damage to the York Packet and its subsequent abandonment illustrate the vulnerability of even well-maintained vessels to sudden and violent weather events on Lake Ontario. The loss disrupted regional maritime operations, emphasizing the perils faced by 19th-century sailors.
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
- Vessel Name: York Packet (formerly Comet)
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Construction: Wooden hull, single deck, fore-and-aft rigged sails
- Tonnage, Length, Beam, Depth: Not documented
- Location of Loss: Niagara, Ontario, Lake Ontario
- Date of Wreck: November 1820
Vessel Type Description
The York Packet, previously named the Comet, was a wooden schooner integral to the growing trade and passenger networks on Lake Ontario. Its renaming suggests a change in ownership or operational purpose during its service life.
History
The York Packet was a key player in Lake Ontario’s maritime trade, serving routes between York (now Toronto), Kingston, and Niagara.
During the November 1820 gale, the York Packet was driven ashore near Niagara, Ontario. The schooner sustained severe damage during the storm and was declared unfit for further service, marking the end of its operational life.
Final Disposition
The York Packet was grounded and heavily damaged, leading to its abandonment. Salvage efforts likely focused on recovering usable materials, as was common practice for wrecked vessels during this era.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) relate to the York Packet wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No remains of the York Packet have been located or documented in modern times. It is presumed that the wreck deteriorated over time or was salvaged shortly after the incident.
Impact of Loss
The severe damage to the York Packet and its subsequent abandonment illustrate the vulnerability of even well-maintained vessels to sudden and violent weather events on Lake Ontario. The loss disrupted regional maritime operations, emphasizing the perils faced by 19th-century sailors.
Historical Context for Both Vessels
The simultaneous loss of the Kingston Packet and York Packet during the November 1820 storm underscores the devastating impact of this particular gale on Lake Ontario shipping. These incidents contributed to the historical narrative of maritime challenges and dangers faced by Great Lakes vessels during the 19th century.
york-packet-comet 1820-11-14 07:54:00