Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type Description

The *Margaret and Ann* was a British Schooner—a wooden sailing vessel rigged with two square-sailed masts. Common in early 19th-century Great Lakes and Atlantic maritime operations, schooners were agile, efficient for cargo and passenger transport, and ideal for navigating the coastal and inland water networks. Specific dimensions, tonnage, and construction details of this vessel remain unrecorded, reflecting the rudimentary archival standards of the era.

History & Chronology

• November 11, 1835: A severe gale struck Lake Ontario, resulting in widespread maritime losses. Contemporary notices in the *Oswego Palladium* (Aug. 26, 1835) reported that the *Margaret and Ann*, among other vessels (e.g., *Medora* and *Robert Bruce*), were lost in the storm.
• The report states: “*The Schooner Margaret and Ann, a British vessel, is also lost — particulars unknown.*” No survivors or specific location details were provided, indicating limited follow-up information was available at the time.

Final Disposition

The Schooner was lost during the November 1835 gale. Her final fate—whether sunk offshore, wrecked onshore, or broken apart—remains undocumented. Given the era and sparse details, it’s possible the wreck remains buried or demolished along Lake Ontario’s coastline.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck has never been positively located in modern times. No archaeological survey, sonar search, or dive record confirms its position. The only acknowledgment of its loss comes from contemporary newspaper reports.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No official Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational advisories would have been issued in 1835. There is no modern advisory or marker associated with the wreck.

Significance

The *Margaret and Ann* is among the earliest documented vessel casualties on Lake Ontario, tied to historic gales like the “Witch of November.” Her loss underscores the perilous conditions of early Great Lakes navigation and the limited record-keeping of pre–maritime registry eras. Though unlocated, she represents a tantalizing target for historical and archaeological investigation.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – historical vessel archives
• *Oswego Palladium*, August 26, 1835 – contemporary newspaper report
• Dave Swayze’s Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (for follow-up research)
• Wikipedia – November Gale (“Witch of November” context) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Conclusion

The Schooner *Margaret and Ann* embodies the early, tale-rich era of Great Lakes mariners. Lost in a November 1835 gale, her fate was reported but not documented in detail. Without a known wreck site, she remains an unresolved historic loss. Further archival and field research—including local historical archives, maritime logs, and targeted sonar surveys—could lend clarity to her story.

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Tags & Categories

Tags: Margaret and Ann, Schooner, November 1835 gale, early Lake Ontario wrecks, British vessels Great Lakes, unlocated wrecks
Categories: Pre–Maritime Registry Wrecks, Early Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Historical Gale Losses