The 2nd oldest Great Lakes shipwreck has been discovered in Lake Ontario.
The Washington was an American-built and Canadian-owned 53-foot sloop or single-masted vessel. Built in 1798, she carried people and goods between the United States and Canada on Lake Erie. In 1802, she was sold to Canadian merchants and moved to Lake Ontario.
On November 6th, 1803, carrying at least 5 people and cargo, on route from Kingston to Niagara she was caught in a storm and sank. All hands, including at least three crew members and two merchants went down with The Washington.
For more information on The Washington check out stories in The Toronto Star and the Detroit Free Press.
If you’d like to read more about Great Lakes shipwrecks check out Disaster Great Lakes and Shipwrecks of Lake Erie: Tragedy in the Quadrangle.
If you’re interested about other shipwrecks, check out our selection of books on Lighthouses & Shipwrecks.
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