Identification & Site Information

• Name: Ann Maria (also known as Anna Maria, Annie Maria)
• Official Number: 387
• Date Built: 1864
• Place Built: Conneaut, Ohio, USA
• Builder: Marshall Capron
• Measurements: Length: 131.2 feet (39.96 metres) Beam: 26.3 feet (8.02 metres) Depth: 11.3 feet (3.44 metres)
• Gross Tonnage: 256 tons
• Net Tonnage: 243 tons
• Date Lost: October 7, 1902
• Final Location: Near Kincardine, Ontario, Lake Huron

Vessel Type

Two-masted wooden Schooner.

Description

The Ann Maria was a large wooden Schooner, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. It featured two masts and was substantial in size and capacity for its time, with a Gross Tonnage of 256 tons.

History

Built in 1864 by Marshall Capron in Conneaut, Ohio, the Ann Maria began service as a Schooner enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865. It later operated under various owners and was reenrolled in Conneaut, Ohio. Between 1871 and 1879, the vessel was owned by its builder, Marshall Capron.

The Schooner faced significant challenges during its operational life. In 1880, it was reported as wrecked with the tragic loss of seven lives. Despite this, it was Rebuilt in 1884, continuing its service on the Great Lakes.

On October 7, 1902, the Ann Maria met its final fate near Kincardine, Ontario, on Lake Huron. While attempting to enter the harbor during heavy weather, the Schooner struck a sandbar and became unmanageable. The vessel was carrying a cargo of coal from Cleveland to Kincardine. A volunteer lifesaving crew launched a rescue attempt, but their lifeboat capsized in the storm. Four of the six crew members aboard the Ann Maria, including Captain Alexander Gordon, perished. The remaining two crew members were rescued later that evening. The vessel was ultimately declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The Ann Maria now rests near the piers at Kincardine, Ontario, in Lake Huron. It remains a poignant symbol of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

Located By & Date Found

No specific details of discovery are documented, but the wreck location is well-known and accessible for research and exploration.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No modern navigational hazards have been reported at the wreck site. The location is popular among divers and maritime historians.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Resource
• Great Lakes Vessels Database: Vessel Archive
• Bruce County Museum: Historical Exhibits and Research
• Light House Friends: Lighthouse History and Shipwrecks

Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: #AnnMaria, #AnnaMaria, #Schooner, #shipwreck, #Lake Huron, #Kincardine, #maritime history.

• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Historical Vessels, Maritime Disasters.

Conclusion

The Ann Maria’s history exemplifies the resilience and peril of Great Lakes maritime operations. From surviving an earlier wreck and reconstruction to its final tragedy in 1902, this Schooner remains a significant part of Great Lakes history. Its final resting place near Kincardine serves as both a historical landmark and a sobering reminder of the risks faced by mariners of the era.