Identification Card (Site)

Description

The J.L. Ranney was a mid-19th century, two-masted wooden Schooner constructed at St. Catharines, Ontario — then a hub of Great Lakes shipbuilding due to its proximity to the Welland Canal. Her 113 tons of registry placed her in the medium Schooner class, making her versatile for both coastal and cross-lake voyages. With a single Deck and fore-and-aft rig, she required a smaller crew while retaining the ability to carry significant cargoes.

Operational History

By 1854, Ranney was in service under the ownership of Norris & Graham of St. Catharines, likely trading lumber, grain, and coal between Canadian and American lake ports. Schooners like Ranney were essential to mid-century commerce, sustaining urban growth in Toronto, Buffalo, and Detroit while supporting rural-to-industrial supply chains.

Her service life was relatively short: by 1856 her Hull was repurposed for the Schooner Fred L. Wells in Port Huron, Michigan, extending her useful life as part of another vessel.

Final Disposition

The original Hull of the J.L. Ranney no longer exists as a standalone wreck. Her timbers were reused in constructing the Fred L. Wells, which itself was lost near Port Bruce, Ontario in 1868. Thus, Ranney’s maritime legacy continued indirectly through another Schooner.

Located By & Date Found

No wreck site exists for Ranney herself. Any physical remains are incorporated into the wreck site of Fred L. Wells near Port Bruce, Ontario. As such, no dedicated archaeological surveys are attributed to Ranney.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – no wreck hazards directly attributable to J.L. Ranney. Related hazards pertain to the wreck of Fred L. Wells.

Resources & Links

• Shotline Diving – J.L. Ranney
• Shotline Diving – Fred L. Wells
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• St. Catharines – Shickluna Shipyard History
• Welland Canal Heritage Resources

Keywords, Categories & Glossary

Keywords: J.L. Ranney, Schooner, St. Catharines shipbuilding, Norris & Graham, Fred L. Wells, Louis Shickluna, Welland Canal vessels

Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Canadian Maritime History, 19th Century Shipbuilding, Repurposed Ship Hulls

• Fore-and-aft Rigged: A sail configuration with sails set parallel to the ship’s length, offering maneuverability and efficiency.
• Schooner: A two-masted or more sailing vessel rigged fore-and-aft, favored for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• Hull Repurposing: The practice of reusing an older Hull’s timbers in constructing a new vessel.
• Welland Canal: Key waterway connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, pivotal in 19th-century Great Lakes trade.

Conclusion

The J.L. Ranney reflects the rapid development of Great Lakes shipbuilding in the mid-19th century. Though her original form lasted only a few years, her timbers continued in service as the Schooner Fred L. Wells. She is emblematic of the resourcefulness of shipbuilders and owners in extending the life of vessels through repurposing. While no distinct wreck remains, Ranney’s story contributes to the broader heritage of St. Catharines’ Shickluna yard and the Welland Canal era.

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card