Identity & Build
- Original Name: Serepta (built 1865 by J. Cooper, Wallaceburg, Ontario)
- Renamed: Mary Everett circa 1880; officially re-rigged as a three-masted Schooner in 1887 (Official No. C83156) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Dimensions: ~120 ft × 26 ft × 8 ft; ~206 GRT / 197 NRT
- Registry: Wallaceburg, Ontario (owner John Cooper) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss – November 18, 1903
- Incident: Encountered a severe lake storm and Foundered, sinking on Lake Ontario
- Cargo: Unknown at sinking (registry notes blank)
- Casualties: Not specified – likely none reported
- Location: Lake Ontario (specific coordinates not recorded) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Aftermath & Wreck Status
- The vessel sank fully; no further documentation of salvage or recovery is recorded
- No wreck site has been identified or surveyed to date — remnants may remain on the lake bottom
Historical & Cultural Significance
- Represents a late-surviving example of 19th-century Canadian-built wooden schooners adapted for changing shipping demands—re-rigged to expand sailing capabilities
- The sinking underscores the persistent danger faced by aging sailing vessels, even as steam power dominated—particularly on volatile Great Lakes waters
- The absence of detailed crew or casualty records highlights a gap in archival preservation; further research may clarify the human narrative behind the loss
Research & Investigation Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Newspaper Archives | Search Kingston Whig-Standard, Toronto Globe, and regional Ontario press (Nov–Dec 1903) for storm reports, mentions of Mary Everett, and possible crew casualty notices |
| Maritime Registries | Obtain official registry forms (pre-1903) to verify cargo history and ownership—might record final voyage details |
| Wreck Location Search | Utilize storm track reconstructions to narrow potential sinking zone in Lake Ontario; follow up with side-scan sonar surveys |
| Diver Investigations | If a site is located, plan for dive-based documentation to assess Hull condition, timber preservation, and possible artifact recovery |
Summary
- Name: Mary Everett (originally Serepta)
- Built: 1865, Wallaceburg, Ontario; re-rigged 1887—206 GRT Schooner
- Lost: Nov 18, 1903 — Foundered in Lake Ontario storm
- Casualties: None documented; crew status unclear
- Wreck: Not located; remains may lie in deep water
- Significance: Symbolic of midsail-era Canadian schooners, marking the end of traditional wooden cargo ships in early 20th-century Great Lakes navigation