Mary
Ship stats
Depth: To be announced
Coordinates: be announced
Vessel Type: Two-mast schooner
Length: 84 feet
Breadth: 20 feet
Gross Tonnage: 87
Cargo: 225 tons of coal
Built: 1877, George H. Garner, Thorold, Ontario
Port of Registry at Loss: Napanee, Ontario
Owner at Loss: Captain Andrew Baird, Jr. of Napanee, Ontario
Date Lost: November 6, 1905
Cause of Loss: Foundered in storm Loss of Life: 4 of 4
Historical Background
This two-masted schooner was first discovered by Mr. Tim Caza and Mr. Dennis Gerber in July 2024. The wreck was documented in May 2025 by NOAA and its partners at the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. Presently no evidence has been found which would allow its conclusive identification, however, ongoing research seems to suggest that this is likely the wreck of Mary, lost on November 6, 1905.
The two-masted schooner Mary was built in 1877 at Thorold, Ontario by George H. Garner. The schooner was of modest size at 84 feet long, 20.3 feet in breadth and with a 7-foot depth of hold, and measuring 87 gross tons.
Between 1877 and 1902, Mary was operated out of Saint Catharines, Ontario before being sold to owners in Brighton, Ontario around 1902. The following year, Captain Andrew Baird, Jr. of Napanee, Ontario purchased the schooner, and would operate the vessel for the next 2 years until its loss.
Late on the morning of November 6, 1905, Mary departed Fairhaven, New York laden with 225 tons of coal bound for Napanee. Shortly after passing out of the piers at Fairhaven a gale swept across eastern Lake Ontario. Around 3:00 p.m., sailors at Oswego sighted a schooner in distress, being driven eastward past Oswego and well offshore under bare masts, its sails having been torn away by the gale. While the identity of the schooner was unsure, many familiar with the schooner believed it to be Mary.
With Mary suspected to be in trouble, telegrams were sent to Napanee and to all potential sheltered anchorages where the schooner might have found refuge, but nothing had been heard of Mary. Some days later, bargemen, arriving at Oswego from the St. Lawrence River reported sighting floating wreckage afloat off Galloo Island, including wreckage from a ship’s cabin matching Mary’s description.
Wreck Site
A site photo model of the steambarge Adiramled. Credit: OECI/NOAA
This wreck, believed to be Mary, lies upright and intact near the upper depth limits of technical diving (330 feet/100 meters) between Oswego and Galloo Island. The hull remains entirely intact with the midships and aft hatches retaining their hatch covers. The forward hatch is missing, revealing a coal cargo. The foremast and foretopmast lie across the bow while the mainmast has fallen forward, extending over the starboard side. The bow retains an intact bowsprit and rigging, but the bow is partially obscured by tangled wire rope rigging, and the foremast which have fallen and lie atop the bow. Also present at the bow are both anchors, which remained stowed, the windlass and a bilge pump.
Amidships, the ship’s centerboard winch and a capstan are present. At the stern, the cabin is broken and collapsed forward of the ship’s wheel. The ship’s boat lies on the bottom off the portside.
