St. Anthony (1856, Schooner)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: St. Anthony
• Other Names: Unknown
• Official Number: None
• Vessel Type: Schooner, wooden Hull
• Build Information:  Built in 1856, at Erie, Pennsylvania.  Known as the sister ship of the Schooner St. Paul.

Specifications

No detailed records of the St. Anthony’s dimensions (e.g., length, beam, tonnage) are available. Likely similar in size and design to the St. Paul, which was a standard mid-19th-century Schooner designed for bulk cargo transport.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: 1856 (same year as her construction).
• Location: Off Goderich, Ontario, on Lake Huron.
• Type of Loss: Described only as “lost,” but the details of the incident remain undocumented. The vessel may have Foundered or run aground due to a storm or navigational error.
• Loss of Life: Unknown (no records indicate whether the crew survived).
• Cargo: Unknown (typical cargos for schooners in this era included grain, timber, coal, or general merchandise).

Historical Context

Schooners on the Great Lakes:  Schooners like the St. Anthony were the workhorses of mid-19th-century Great Lakes shipping, carrying cargo between ports such as Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, and smaller towns like Goderich. These vessels were highly susceptible to bad weather, especially during the spring and fall storm seasons.

Lake Huron:

The lake was (and still is) notorious for shipwrecks due to its expansive size, sudden storms, and hazardous shorelines. The waters near Goderich were particularly dangerous, with rocky shoals and strong currents.

Sister Ship: St. Paul

The St. Paul, as the sister ship of the St. Anthony, provides clues about the lost vessel. Likely of similar construction and used for similar trades. Designed and built in Erie, Pennsylvania, where both vessels originated. Understanding the St. Paul’s specifications may help reconstruct the likely design of the St. Anthony.

Legacy and Mystery

The loss of the St. Anthony shortly after her launch is one of many 19th-century Great Lakes maritime tragedies with little documentation. No details of a wreck discovery or salvaging efforts have been recorded, leaving the ultimate fate of the vessel and her crew unknown.

Further Research Opportunities

• Historical Records in Erie, PA: The shipyard or builder records in Erie might offer additional details about the St. Anthony and her sister ship, St. Paul.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes:  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca This database may contain complementary information on both vessels and other shipwrecks near Goderich.
• Archives in Goderich, Ontario: Local historical societies or museums might hold records of the St. Anthony’s loss or references in early newspapers.
• Wikipedia – Erie PA Goderich

Conclusion

The St. Anthony, built in 1856, met her tragic end off Goderich, Ontario, the same year she was launched. Although her story is largely lost to history, she represents the dangers faced by early schooners navigating the unpredictable and treacherous waters of Lake Huron. Further research into her sister ship, local archives, and maritime records may help illuminate the mystery of her loss.