Identification & Site Information

• Name: Elizabeth

• Type: Schooner

• Builder: Broders, Owen Sound, Ontario

• Date Built: 1865

• Original Owner: E. Broders

• Change of Ownership: May 1873, purchased by Captain McKenzie and Mr. Goldering

• Incident Date: October 29, 1873

• Location of Final Incident: Christian Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

• Final Disposition: Wrecked and stranded; Total Loss

• Lives Lost: None

Vessel Type

The Elizabeth was a wooden Schooner, designed for general freight transportation—common for mid-19th century vessels that plied the Great Lakes.

Description

The Schooner Elizabeth was built in 1865 in Owen Sound, Ontario, by Broders. The vessel initially belonged to her builder, E. Broders, showcasing the pride and utility of Great Lakes shipbuilding in the region during this period.

In May 1873, after an incident where she had gone ashore near South Bay, Manitoulin, the Schooner was purchased by Captain McKenzie and Mr. Goldering. The new owners managed to haul her off the rocks, which was no small feat given the challenges of 19th-century maritime salvage. Once successfully freed, the Elizabeth underwent extensive repairs and was skillfully restored to a seaworthy condition, with careful attention paid to her fittings and structure. She was prepared for renewed service in the general freight trade, a crucial role for commerce across Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

History

The Elizabeth’s operational history was relatively short under her new ownership. On October 29, 1873, while on a voyage bound from Penetanguishene, Ontario, the vessel encountered rough weather in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The storm ultimately proved too much for the Schooner, and she stranded at Christian Island, a site notorious for challenging conditions and unpredictable shoals.

The incident caused irreparable damage, leading to the vessel’s Total Loss. Remarkably, despite the severity of the wrecking, no lives were lost—a fortunate outcome that speaks to the seamanship of her crew.

Final Disposition

The Schooner Elizabeth was wrecked and Abandoned at Christian Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, marking an abrupt and tragic end to her service. The event stands as a reminder of the hazards of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during late fall storms when conditions are notoriously unpredictable.

Legacy

The Elizabeth’s story reflects themes of resilience, ownership change, and the ever-present dangers of lake navigation during the 19th century. Her salvage, repair, and subsequent loss are emblematic of the challenges faced by sailors and vessel owners during this period of intense maritime commerce.

Christian Island, located in the northeastern part of Georgian Bay, is part of the Beausoleil First Nation reserve and remains an area of historical maritime interest for divers, historians, and shipwreck enthusiasts.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival records of the Elizabeth and other Georgian Bay vessels.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: A valuable source of shipwreck details.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Comprehensive historical records for 19th-century schooners and freighters.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: Elizabeth Schooner, Georgian Bay shipwreck, Christian Island wreck, Lake Huron maritime history, Manitoulin salvage, rough weather wrecks.

• Categories: Georgian Bay Shipwrecks, 19th-Century Schooners, Lake Huron Maritime Disasters, Rescued Vessels and Salvage.

Glossary Terms

• Stranding: The grounding of a vessel on a shore or underwater obstruction, often leading to wreckage.

• General Freight Trade: The transportation of diverse cargo such as grain, timber, or coal across inland waterways.

• Christian Island: A key location in Georgian Bay, historically significant for its role in shipping routes and as a site of shipwrecks.

Let me know if you’d like further details on this wreck site or related events in Georgian Bay!