Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Albatross

• Type: Schooner-Barge

• Official Number: C75633

• Year Built: 1871

• Builder: A. Muir, Port Dalhousie, Ontario

• Dimensions:

• Length: 137 feet (41.8 m)

• Width (Beam): 26 feet (7.9 m)

• Depth: 12 feet (3.7 m)

• Tonnage: 317 tons

• Owner: Midland Towing & Wrecking Co., Midland, Ontario

• Final Disposition: Sank on August 21, 1911, in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

Vessel Type Description:

The Albatross was a wooden Schooner-Barge, a vessel designed for transporting heavy cargo, typically in tow behind a Tug. Schooner-barges were common on the Great Lakes and played a critical role in the regional economy. The Albatross had a single Deck and robust dimensions suited to its cargo-hauling duties. After an incident in 1878, it underwent significant repairs and may have been enlarged, reflecting its long service life.

History:

The Albatross was constructed in 1871 by A. Muir in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. For decades, it served as part of the Midland Towing & Wrecking Co.’s fleet, assisting in towing and salvage operations while carrying various bulk goods.

Previous Incidents:

• 1878 Grounding: The Albatross ran aground on Middle Island in Lake Huron and required significant repairs. It is speculated that it was also enlarged during this period to enhance its capacity and utility.

Final Voyage:

On August 21, 1911, while being towed by the Tug C.C. Martin, the Albatross encountered a severe storm in Georgian Bay. The Schooner-Barge began taking on water and eventually sank. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the crew of the Albatross, but the survivors faced a harrowing ordeal. Two men, three women, and two children escaped in an open Yawl, enduring 36 hours at sea before reaching shore near Byng Inlet.

The fate of the Tug C.C. Martin and its crew, including Captain George Vent and his wife, remains uncertain. It is believed that the Tug may have been dragged down when the Albatross sank, making this one of the worst disasters in Georgian Bay at the time.

Impact:

The sinking of the Albatross and the possible loss of the C.C. Martin were widely regarded as a tragic reminder of the dangers of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during storms.

Final Disposition:

The Albatross sank in Georgian Bay during a storm, and its wreck remains undiscovered. The exact circumstances of the sinking, as well as the fate of the Tug C.C. Martin, are unclear.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• Current Status: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with this wreck.

• Navigational Hazard: The wreck’s location has not been documented, posing no known hazards to modern navigation.

Located By & Date:

• The wreck of the Albatross has not been located. Its position in Georgian Bay remains unknown.

Resources & Links:

1. David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archive of historical shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

Conclusion:

The Albatross exemplifies the challenges faced by Schooner-barges navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite surviving for decades and undergoing repairs, it ultimately succumbed to the unpredictable and often violent conditions of Lake Huron. The tragic events of August 1911, including the ordeal of its survivors and the mystery surrounding the C.C. Martin, remain a somber chapter in Georgian Bay’s maritime history.

Keywords:

• Albatross

• Georgian Bay Shipwreck

• Lake Huron Disaster

• Schooner-Barge

• Midland Towing & Wrecking Co.

• C.C. Martin

• Great Lakes Maritime History

Glossary:

• Schooner-Barge: A type of vessel designed for carrying bulk cargo, typically towed behind a Tug.

• Yawl: A small, open boat often used as a lifeboat or tender.

• Byng Inlet: A natural inlet in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, serving as a refuge for vessels and survivors.