H.N. TODMAN (Also seen as N.H. TODMAN) – Shipwreck Information

• Official No.: C80951
• Other Names: N.H. TODMAN
• Type at Loss: 2-mast Schooner, wooden Hull
• Built: 1867, by J. Tait, Wellington, Ontario (also listed as Picton)
• Measurements:  Length: 92 ft (28.04 m)  Beam: 20 ft (6.10 m) Depth: 10 ft (3.05 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 110 gt (110)
• Net Tonnage: 110 nt (110)
• Date of Loss: November 19 or 20, 1883
• Place of Loss: Near Goderich, Ontario, Lake Huron
• Type of Loss: Stranded
• Loss of Life: No fatalities reported
• Cargo: Unknown
• Owner at Time of Loss: McLeod & Co., Wellington, Ontario
• Registry Closure: The ship’s registry was not closed until 1902 or later.
• Vessel Type 2-mast wooden Schooner

Description

The H.N. Todman was a two-masted Schooner built in 1867 by shipbuilder J. Tait in Wellington, Ontario. Known for its sturdy wooden Hull, it measured 92 feet in length, 20 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. It had a Gross Tonnage of 110 and a Net Tonnage of 110, both marking its moderate size as a vessel of the period.

The Schooner had a significant history on Lake Huron, navigating the waters and engaging in trade, though its final years were marked by misfortune. On November 19 or 20, 1883, it stranded near Goderich, Ontario. No lives were lost in this incident, but the ship was reported as a Total Loss, marking its end as a functional vessel. While the exact cargo it carried at the time of its wreck remains unknown, the ship had been owned by McLeod & Co., a company based in Wellington, Ontario.

The H.N. Todman had already experienced a serious accident in 1881, but it was recovered from that incident and repaired. Despite this prior mishap, the ship’s registry remained open until 1902 or later, indicating that it may have been listed as a wreck but not officially decommissioned until much later.

Final Dispositions

The H.N. Todman was reported ashore as a Total Loss after stranding near Goderich. No details about the circumstances leading to the stranding were provided in the records, and the vessel was never recovered or put back into service. It appears that the ship’s official registry closure took several years after its stranding incident.

Located By & Date Found

No information is available on the exact location where the wreck of the H.N. Todman might be found today. It is unclear whether it has been located in modern times.

Notable Marks & Advisories

There are no additional marks or advisories specifically mentioned about the wreck site near Goderich, Ontario. As such, there are no navigational concerns currently associated with this specific site.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File CSQW, MMGL, SLH, HGL, CLU, NSP.
• Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals
• The Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• 3dShipwrecks
• Shipwreck Stories

Conclusion

The H.N. Todman was a Schooner that met a tragic end when it stranded off the shores of Goderich, Ontario, in 1883. Despite a history marked by a significant accident in 1881, it was repaired and continued to operate until its final loss. Though no lives were lost, the ship’s wreck highlights the dangers faced by mariners on Lake Huron in the 19th century.