M. L. Breck (1863, Schooner) – Expanded Historical Overview

Identification & Vessel Information

• Name: M. L. Breck (also referred to as Marion L. Breck in records)
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1863
• Builder: Henry Rooney, constructed at Garden Island, Ontario
• Original Owners: Calvin & Breck (likely named after Ira Allen Breck, a sister of one of the owners)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Home Port: Kingston, Ontario
• Specifications Length: 127.1 feet (38.7 m) Beam: 23.5 feet (7.2 m) Depth: 11.9 feet (3.6 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 299 tons
• Net Tonnage: 284 tons

Operational History

Early Years (1863–1866):

The M. L. Breck was launched on November 7, 1863, at the shipyard of Calvin & Breck on Garden Island. It was partially constructed using parts of the William Penn, a Bark built in the 1840s that suffered multiple mishaps and was Rebuilt as part of the Breck.

Notable Incidents:

• 1. 1866: Ran aground at Snake Island on Lake Ontario, suffering $1,500 in damages (insured for only $800).
• 2. 1876: Underwent extensive repairs, followed by a major Rebuild in 1877, which added iron hold Stanchions and replaced wooden elements with stronger materials.
• 3. Fire Incident (1883): On October 31, 1883, while docked at Port Dalhousie, a fire broke out in the cabin due to boiling pitch, damaging the cabin and personal belongings of Captain Bang. The estimated cost of repairs was $100.

Reputation:

The M. L. Breck gained notoriety for its age and condition by the late 19th century, often referred to as an “ancient lumber hooker.” Its cumbersome handling reportedly caused other vessels to take evasive actions, such as the C. B. Lockwood, which ran aground after avoiding the Breck in 1900.

Final Voyage and Sinking (1900)

• Date of Loss: October 16, 1900
• Location: Bears Rump Island Shoal, Georgian Bay, near Tobermory, Ontario
• Cargo: Bricks, en route from Owen Sound to Blind River.
• Incident: During a gale, the M. L. Breck went aground on a shoal near Bears Rump Island. The crew was rescued the following day by the lightkeeper Dan Smith and his sons from Flowerpot Island. While initially declared a Total Loss, efforts to salvage the vessel were reportedly considered by owner John McGibbon of Sarnia, though no conclusive evidence of a salvage attempt exists.

Archaeological Efforts (1969–1970)

Site Location: The wreckage of the M. L. Breck lies in 75–100 feet of water off Bears Rump Island Shoal in Georgian Bay.

Discoveries by R.A.M. Divers (1969–1970):

Remains of the Hull and cargo of bricks were found scattered across the shoal.

Artifacts discovered included:

• Winch and gears
• Hawse pipes with chains inserted
• Iron deadeyes and chainplates (likely added during the 1877 Rebuild)
• Timber sections and part of the rudder assembly
• Portions of bricks, worn by pounding waves.

Photographic Documentation: Divers conducted a full survey and created a site map, providing invaluable insights into the wreck’s condition and historical construction.

Significance

• • The M. L. Breck had one of the longest service records of wooden schooners on the Great Lakes, reflecting both its durability and the ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilders like Henry Rooney.
• • It symbolizes the challenges of aging wooden vessels competing with modern steamers and steel ships by the late 19th century.

Legacy

The M. L. Breck is remembered not only for its contributions to the lumber trade but also as a frequent participant in notable incidents across the Great Lakes. Its story—from the early days of wooden shipbuilding to its archaeological rediscovery—offers a lens into the evolution of Great Lakes shipping.

Sources

• Detroit Free Press: October 19, 1900 (report on final loss).
• Toronto Globe: November 7, 1863; June 8, 1888.
• Sarnia Observer: October 26, 1900.
• Marine Casualties on the Great Lakes (1863–1873): Official records.
• A.C.C.W.A Underwater Project (1970): Marion L. Breck Project logs.
• Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 4). Garden Island (Ontario). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:36, January 24, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Garden_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1188324974