Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Magdala
  • Official No.: C55948
  • Built: 1868, by McKay & Warner, Quebec
  • Type: Wooden Schooner, ~105 ft × 25 ft × 9 ft, ~165 GRT
  • Cargo: Coal
  • Loss Date: October 13, 1885
  • Final Voyage Stage: Seeking shelter during a storm, off Oshawa, Lake Ontario
  • Location: Driven ashore west of the west pier at Oshawa harbor (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Incident & Disposition

  • While riding out a northeast gale, Magdala dragged both anchors and was driven onto the Breakwater structure.
  • Grounded on rocks, she broke up from wave action.
  • Crew were trapped aboard overnight amid the storm, but escaped the following day via lifeboat and reached the shore safely (porthopehistory.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Rescue & Salvage

  • No fatalities occurred; the entire crew survived the night and managed to escape.
  • Cargo and salvageable rigging were recovered in subsequent operations.
  • The wreck Hull remnants remained visible in the harbor area until removed during dredging in 1935 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Archival & Research Gaps

  • Crew & Master Identity – Name of skipper (likely Capt. Geo. Farewell) and crew roster require enlistment records.
  • Pre-incident Maintenance – After repairs in 1882 following storm damage, details of Hull condition and repair quality are unclear.
  • Weather Conditions – Storm specifics (wind speeds, wave heights) could be sourced from Environment Canada archives.
  • Harbor Response – Dredging or harbor master’s logs may describe wreck site removal and debris clearance in 1935.

Wreck & Field Survey Potential

  • Wreck Zone: Immediately west of Oshawa’s west pier, likely in shallow harbor waters.
  • Remains: Likely scattered structural timber, fasteners, and some iron cargo remnants—visible during low water prior to 1935 dredging. Later remain in silt or rubble.
  • Survey Plan:
    • Historic chart overlay for Oshawa pier area in 1885/1935
    • Side‑scan sonar and magnetometer survey to identify buried remains
    • Shallow dive or Dredge core analysis to detect artifacts below sediment

Historical Significance

  • Magdala reflects late-19th-century Canadian-built schooners trading coal along Lake Ontario.
  • Her loss illustrates the hazard of anchor failure during sheltering maneuvers in autumn storms.
  • Drift and overnight grounding underscore crew resourcefulness and survival amid dangerous conditions.

Recommended Next Steps

  • Registry & Crew Research – Acquire enrollment and vessel registration from Library & Archives Canada (Ontario District).
  • Weather & Harbor Logs – Request Environment Canada storm reports for October 1885 and Oshawa municipal harbor records.
  • Field Reconnaissance – Coordinate with Oshawa Museum & Diving Clubs for sonar reconnaissance east of the pier.
  • Newspaper Archival Search – Review 1885 Toronto and Oshawa newspapers for incident narratives, crew interviews, and salvage details.