Identification & Site Information
- Name: E. J. Peters, wooden Schooner (specific official number not located in available indexes)
- Year built: 1875 (Customarily employed in bulk coal transport)
- Loss date: November 17, 1877
- Route/Voyage: Bound from Cleveland (Outbound) to Toronto, carrying coal
- Tow arrangement: Under tow when entering harbor; Towline broke during storm conditions
Circumstances of Loss
- While approaching Toronto harbor in a late-November gale on Lake Erie, E. J. Peters lost her Towline. The vessel drifted uncontrolled, stranded, and was pounded to pieces on the shoreline—resulting in Total Loss.
- No fatalities were recorded; the crew reportedly survived. (“coal, none [fatalities]”)
Vessel Type & Cargo
- Vessel type: Wooden Schooner built circa 1875, used primarily for coal carriage.
- Cargo at loss: Coal
Final Disposition
- The vessel drifted ashore after Towline failure and was Abandoned; subsequent pounding by waves destroyed the Hull and structure.
Located & Survey Status
- No records of modern relocation, dive exploration, or archaeological surveying exist for E. J. Peters. The wreck is not listed in major databases (NOAA, 3DShipwrecks, etc.).
NOTMARs & Official Advisories
- No Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins historically noted E. J. Peters as a navigational hazard.
Resources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files summary entry under the “P” section documents date, cargo, route, Towline failure, and outcome. (internal archival source)
Summary Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | E. J. Peters |
| Built | circa 1875 (wooden Schooner) |
| Vessel Type | Coal Schooner |
| Cargo | Coal |
| Loss Date | November 17, 1877 |
| Route | Cleveland → Toronto |
| Cause of Loss | Towline parted during gale; grounded |
| Crew & Casualties | Crew survived; no fatalities |
| Final Condition | Pounded to pieces onshore |
| Wreck Located | Not documented/surveyed |
Research Gaps & Recommendations
The archival trail for E. J. Peters is brief and leaves several gaps:
- Official documentation: No Registry Number or shipbuilder details identified—access to Canadian or U.S. vessel enrollment files (circa 1875) may clarify her origin and owner.
- Crew and master identity: No captain or crew names recorded. Examination of period newspapers (Toronto, Cleveland, Nov 1877) could yield rescue reports.
- Insurance, logging files: Tug logs (if she was in tow), Towboat operator records, or marine casualty files may offer precise sequence of events and compensation claims.
- Salvage or wreck reporting: Local harbor authority or insurance survey reports may contain status of wreck post–grounding.
- Physical site survey: A geophysical survey along the shoreline near the probable approach zone to Toronto harbor in 1877 could reveal remnant Hull material or debris field if not removed or buried.
Conclusion
Although E. J. Peters was described as seaworthy, her loss under tow during harbor entry in a gale underscores the hazards of late-season Lake Erie navigation. The absence of registry numbers and crew records leaves uncertainties about ownership and exact wreck location. It would require targeted archival research and potentially a site survey to fill these gaps.