Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Delaware
  • Former Names: None listed
  • Registration Number(s): Canadian Registry No. C125568
  • Date Built and Launched: Built 1879, Marine City, Michigan, USA
  • Measurements: Length 61.9 m (203 ft), Beam 9.2 m (30.1 ft), Depth 4.9 m (16 ft), Gross Tonnage: 1032 tons
  • Date Lost / Destroyed / Abandoned: October 25, 1903
  • Coordinates: 43.221719 -79.264775

Vessel Type

Wooden Propeller Steamer (Bulk Freighter)

Description

The Delaware was a large wooden steam-powered bulk freighter, typical of the late 19th century Great Lakes cargo trade. Designed to carry iron ore, coal, grain, and general cargo, she featured robust construction for inland service and bore the hallmarks of a transitional ship type combining steam propulsion with wooden hulls, which by the early 20th century were giving way to steel-hulled vessels.

History

Constructed at Marine City, Michigan in 1879 by Morley & Hill, the Delaware served as a bulk freighter traversing the Great Lakes with various cargoes. Initially US-registered, she was later transferred to Canadian ownership and re-registered in Collingwood, Ontario, under the name Delaware. She was one of the larger wooden steamers of her time, built during an era of rapid expansion in bulk shipping.

The vessel had several changes in ownership and registry, with a career primarily focused on cargo work throughout the upper and lower lakes. She was part of the growing lake freighter fleet that formed the backbone of industrial transport between mining regions and urban centres.

On October 25, 1903, while navigating Lake Ontario, the Delaware was wrecked during a severe gale near Grimsby, Ontario. Struggling against violent weather, she ultimately grounded and broke apart on the rocky shoreline. Her loss was attributed to the intense storm and inability to make safe harbour. All crew members were reported rescued.

Final Dispositions

Wrecked and destroyed near Grimsby, Ontario, Lake Ontario. Portions of her wreckage may remain off the shoreline, though the site is largely undocumented or deteriorated.

Located By & Date Found

Nil formal site discovery or archaeological confirmation listed. Some dive reports and local knowledge suggest the location lies offshore near Grimsby but no coordinates are officially published.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Not currently marked or identified in Canadian Coast Guard NOTMARs. No navigational hazard indicated on contemporary charts, suggesting the wreckage is not a current obstruction.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Delaware stands as one of the many 19th-century wooden freighters lost during Lake Ontario’s fierce fall storms. Although her name is not widely associated with active dive sites or marked wrecks today, her story highlights the vulnerability of wooden vessels to extreme weather and the challenges of maritime navigation at the time. While no exact wreck coordinates are published, the Grimsby shoreline holds potential for wreckage remnants or future underwater archaeology.

Keywords: Delaware Shipwreck, Lake Ontario Wrecks, Grimsby Maritime History, Wooden Freighter Losses
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario, Wooden Steamships, Storm Losses, Historical Ship Registry
Glossary Terms:

  • Bulk Freighter: A ship built to carry unpackaged bulk cargo.
  • Propeller Steamer: A Steamship using a propeller for propulsion.
  • Gale: A strong wind typically involved in shipping hazards.

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