Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Ann Maud (variants: Anna Maud, Annie Maud)

•Registry: Not provided

•Builder: James Connacher

•Year Built: 1855

•Location: Wellington, Ontario, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not specifically provided

•Depth: Shallow waters, close to shore

•Condition: Wrecked and Abandoned

Vessel Type Description

The Ann Maud was a two-masted wooden Schooner, designed for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. With a tonnage of 93 tons, it was relatively small compared to other schooners of its era but well-suited for its purpose. Built in 1855 in Port Hope, Ontario, the Schooner played a vital role in moving agricultural products like grains and peas between Great Lakes ports.

History

The Ann Maud had a brief but significant operational history, serving as a cargo vessel on Lake Ontario. It was launched in 1855 and primarily transported goods between regional ports. Owned initially by D. Elliott of Port Hope, the vessel contributed to the bustling trade economy of the mid-19th century.

In late October or early November of 1865, the Schooner met its fate during a severe storm. While carrying 15,000 bushels of peas, the Ann Maud was driven ashore near Wellington, Ontario, on Lake Ontario’s north shore. The storm caused irreparable damage to the Hull, leading to the vessel’s abandonment. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities, though the ship’s career ended abruptly.

Final Disposition

The Ann Maud was left stranded near Wellington and was never salvaged or repaired. Over time, its remains likely deteriorated or were repurposed, as was common with Abandoned vessels of the era.

Speculation exists that the Ann Maud may have been succeeded by the Schooner Octavia, built in Cramahe in 1866. With a similar tonnage of 95 tons, some historians suggest a connection between the two vessels, though definitive evidence is lacking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The exact wreck location is undocumented, and it is uncertain whether any remnants of the Schooner still exist. Given the nature of wooden wrecks and the passage of time, it is likely that any remains have been consumed by the elements or incorporated into the shoreline.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Archives

2.Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel Records

3.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Listings

Keywords & Categories

•Keywords: Ann Maud, Schooner, shipwreck, Lake Ontario, Wellington, storm wreck, 19th century navigation, Great Lakes

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

Analysis

The Ann Maud reflects the crucial role of small schooners in 19th-century Great Lakes commerce. Its untimely wreck underscores the perils of maritime life, particularly the unpredictability of Lake Ontario’s weather. While it is not widely remembered today, its story forms part of the broader narrative of Great Lakes navigation. The possibility of its link to the Schooner Octavia adds an intriguing dimension, showcasing the era’s practices of rebuilding and repurposing vessels.