Montcalm (Wooden Schooner, built 1867 – lost November 15, 1891)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Montcalm
• Build Year: 1867
• Type: Wooden cargo Schooner
• Cargo at Last Voyage: Iron ore
• Date of Loss: November 15, 1891
• Incident Location: Driven aground by a violent southwest gale—likely near Long Point, Lake Erie
• Casualties: All crew rescued (none lost)
• Registry Note: Listed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry “M” for Montcalm
  (Drummond Island Tourism Association, michiganshipwrecks.org, alcheminc.com, Links to the Past, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Circumstances of Loss

Montcalm departed laden with iron ore. During a violent southwest gale on the night of November 15, 1891, she was driven aground, probably near or at Long Point. The severe weather and shallow shoals caused her Hull to break up. The entire crew was successfully evacuated before the wreck was total.
(Links to the Past)

Final Disposition & Wreck Condition

• The vessel was wrecked beyond salvage, her Hull breaking apart onshore
• No remains are known to exist underwater; the wreck was dismantled or dispersed post-grounding

Crew Outcome

• All crew members were rescued safely; no fatalities reported

Historical Significance

• A late-19th-century iron-ore Schooner, Montcalm typifies the era’s bulk-material shipping vessels
• Reflects the navigation challenges of gale-season transport on Lake Erie and the notorious shoals near Long Point

References & Sources

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry “M” for Montcalm lists build, loss details, cargo, and rescue outcome
  (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com, Links to the Past)

Summary Table

Suggested Research Steps

• Search November 1891 editions of regional newspapers like the Port Dover Gazette, Norfolk News, or London Free Press for detailed incident coverage
• Explore local records (e.g. Port Dover harbor logs) for salvage or removal operations
• Investigate if Long Point Lifesaving Service documents mention the crew rescue