Identification & Site Information

•Name: Florence Howard

•Registry: Canadian

•Builder: Picton, Ontario

•Year Built: Mid-19th Century

•Location: Approximately 4 miles WNW of Salmon Point, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not specifically provided

•Depth: Unknown, presumed deep waters

•Condition: Total wreck

Vessel Type Description

The Florence Howard was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type for 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Its single-Deck, two-mast design made it ideal for transporting bulk goods. With a Gross Tonnage of 119 tons under the old measurement system, the Schooner had a substantial cargo capacity of about 7,000 bushels, often used for grains like barley and wheat, critical commodities for the regional economy.

History

Constructed in Picton, Ontario, the Florence Howard epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgized the robust shipbuilding heritage of the area.

Key Events:

•1863: Began service under B. Flint of Belleville, Ontario.

•1866: Underwent significant repairs, reflecting active use and wear from harsh Great Lakes conditions.

•1870: Involved in a collision with the Schooner Dominion 25 miles from Rochester, a testament to the crowded and perilous nature of the waterways.

•Post-Collision Ownership: Ownership transferred to David Andrews, another Belleville resident.

On November 20, 1883, the Florence Howard departed Wellington carrying 5,000 bushels of barley destined for West Point. Adverse weather conditions led to its sinking approximately 4 miles west-northwest of Salmon Point, Lake Ontario. While the cargo was lost, records suggest no loss of life, sparing the crew from the tragedy.

Final Disposition

The Schooner rests at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario. Its cargo of barley, a key export, highlights its role in the economic engine of the 19th-century Great Lakes trade. The wreck site, uncharted and unexplored, remains an enduring mystery beneath the cold waters near Salmon Point.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the Florence Howard‘s wreck is speculative, given its age and Lake Ontario’s powerful currents. Likely broken and encrusted over time, the site has not been actively studied or salvaged. Its inaccessibility and limited documentation render it an artifact of regional maritime history rather than a prominent dive site.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Florence Howard reflects the risks and resilience of Great Lakes maritime trade during the 19th century. Its life, from construction in Picton to its untimely loss, encapsulates the broader narrative of Schooner use in bulk transport. The vessel’s fate, marked by adverse weather and economic ambition, underscores the precarious balance of opportunity and risk for mariners of its time.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships

Conclusion

The Florence Howard is a poignant emblem of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation. From its construction in Picton to its loss near Salmon Point, the Schooner’s story echoes the enduring challenges faced by mariners and the importance of trade to regional development. As it rests beneath Lake Ontario, it remains a hidden yet significant piece of maritime history.

Tags

•#GreatLakes

•#LakeOntario

•#FlorenceHoward

•#Schooner

•#19thCenturyShipping

•#MaritimeHistory

•#Shipwreck

•#SalmonPoint

•#BarleyTransport

•#BellevilleWellington