AH-WR-0442

W.Y. Emery

Schooner · Canada · Lost 1899 · Lake Ontario & the St. Lawrence

A coal schooner that fought a night-long gale before sinking within sight of shore, her crew saved in a dramatic last-minute rescue.

Become Captain of Record See Shipwreck on Map

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Historically Reconstructed. Drawn from partial documentation of this vessel together with her known class and configuration. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Built in 1867 at Port Burwell, Ontario, W.Y. Emery carried freight on the Great Lakes for over three decades under a succession of owners. On September 25, 1899, laden with 400 tons of coal for Kingston, she was caught by a violent gale that opened her seams. Her crew of four fought the pumps through the night and anchored near the town of Ontario, New York, raising distress flags; all were rescued by the Charlotte lifesaving crew just before she sank. Local divers located her wreckage in 2007 after an eight-year search.

Vessel

Built: 1867
Registry: Official no. 71280
Builder: George Dakin
Yard: Port Burwell, Ontario
Material: Wood
Length: 104 ft
Beam: 22.9 ft
Tonnage: 211
Propulsion: Sail
Owners: George Mitchell (at loss); previously John Griffen & Sidney McDermand and others

Loss

Date: September 26, 1899
Cause: Storm
Location: Lake Ontario, about 2 miles off the town of Ontario, New York
Water: Lake Ontario
Voyage: Charlotte, New York → Kingston, Ontario
Cargo: 400 tons of coal
Aboard: 4
Lives lost: 0
Master: William Mitchell

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Ship's wheel and wreckage located, matching historical descriptions of the sinking
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: 2007-09-08
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 43.24° N 77.30° W
Accuracy: General area only
Nearest: Ontario, New York
Region: Lake Ontario & the St. Lawrence

General area only: coordinate of the town of Ontario, Wayne County, New York, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, marking the named place of loss recorded for this vessel, not a surveyed wreck position.