I have already researched most of the ship web sites and cannot find any information. Peter Grattan, my great, great uncle was the captain and builder and the small ship (sloop)sank on it's way to Ireland from Ontario, Canada. (aprox date: 1840)
Ideas, anyone? I have also researched on the Ireland web sites but found nothing. Thank you!

Was this a family story? Do you have any other information? How do you know it was sunk? What information are you looking for?

Assuming it was a family story and that is all you have, I would first attempt to check the Ontario newspapers from that period. They would have listed incoming/outgoing vessels. They may have also reported on the sinking.

I am not familiar with Ontario, but they may have a local Maritime Association that might be able to assist with you.

Thank you for responding to my query. Peter was the builder of 2 boats, the Aridriane and the Granger. I do not know for sure which one he was sailing in when he took that last trip.
Yes, it is a family "story" however, it is probable that it is true because Peter was fetching the remainder of his brothers family that had been left behind in Ireland so that they could join the rest of the family in Canada (Amherst Island). The ship never arrived in Ireland after leaving Canada and they were told - I don't know how - that it sank. He and his crew were never heard from again. There is a memorial dedicated to him in Canada. Thanks for the newspaper idea, I will check into it!
The only info I would like is an article about it. That would be sufficient. Thank you again for your idea
B. Jones

Bonnie

Please excuse me jumping in. Here is what I know; Peter Gratton born on Amherst Island had gone off to Kansas with his parents in the 1870's then he returned to the Island circa 1896 and built the Granger in 1899 & the Ariadne in 1901.

http://db.library.queensu.ca/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll

type in a search for Gratton

The oral history memory that started this thread is most likely the shipwreck drowning of his uncle David McGrattan in 1848 off the coast of Ireland. His tragic end was recounted in Catherine Anne Wilson's, "A New Lease on Life" page 203