Identification & Site Information:

•Name: Ann Bell Chambers (also known as Annabella Chambers, previously Mary Taylor)

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Built: Believed to be before 1850, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

•Tonnage: 40 tons

•Official Number: C (exact number unspecified)

•Final Location: Near the edge of Toronto Bay, Lake Ontario

•Date of Wreck: October 30, 1873

•Cargo: Cordwood

Vessel Type Description:

The Ann Bell Chambers was a wooden Schooner, a small cargo vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Designed for short-haul trips, it transported goods such as timber, coal, and cordwood between regional ports. With a modest tonnage of 40, it was well-suited for local trade in the relatively sheltered waters of Lake Ontario.

History:

Construction and Service:

Originally named Mary Taylor, the vessel was later Rebuilt or renamed Ann Bell Chambers. Constructed before 1850 in Oakville, Ontario, it was owned by Mr. Bell Chambers of Frenchman’s Bay, Ontario. The Schooner primarily operated on Lake Ontario, contributing to the regional economy through the transport of cordwood and other bulk goods.

The Tragic Wreck:

On October 30, 1873, while en route from Frenchman’s Bay to Toronto carrying a cargo of cordwood, the Ann Bell Chambers encountered a severe storm near Toronto Bay. The Schooner lost some of its sails and was driven ashore near the lighthouse on the edge of the bay.

The storm claimed the lives of two crew members from the four-person crew:

•One crew member was washed overboard.

•A 15-year-old boy, likely Captain Edwards’ son, succumbed to the cold and froze to death.

Captain William Edwards survived the ordeal but was found in a heart-wrenching state, lashed to the rigging, holding his deceased son. Another crew member also perished while attempting to navigate the bay in a small boat.

Rescue Efforts:

The wreck was discovered by workers from a steam Dredge near the western point of Toronto Island. The rescuers freed Captain Edwards from the rigging and brought him ashore to the lighthouse keeper’s cottage, where he received medical attention. Despite the rescue, the tragedy left a profound mark on those who witnessed the wreck.

Final Disposition:

The Ann Bell Chambers was destroyed by the storm, with relentless waves breaking the Schooner apart. Its remains were likely scattered and lost in Lake Ontario near Toronto Bay. No significant portions of the wreck are known to have been preserved.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

The wreck of the Ann Bell Chambers has not been preserved, and its remains are believed to have been dispersed after the storm. The site near Toronto Bay is not documented as a preserved or accessible wreck site.

Resources & Links:

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

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival documentation of shipwrecks in the region.

Conclusion:

The Ann Bell Chambers serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by sailors on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its tragic loss during a storm in 1873 underscores the dangers of maritime trade in an era when ships were at the mercy of the elements. The heart-wrenching story of Captain Edwards and his son encapsulates the human cost of these maritime disasters, while the vessel itself symbolizes the economic lifeblood of regional commerce during its time.

Keywords:

•Ann Bell Chambers

•Mary Taylor

•Toronto Bay Shipwreck

•Lake Ontario Maritime History

•1873 Storm

•Frenchman’s Bay

•Oakville Schooner

Glossary:

•Cordwood: Small logs or wood pieces used for fuel, often transported by schooners during the 19th century.

•Schooner: A sailing vessel with fore-and-aft rigged sails, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.

•Toronto Bay: A sheltered area near Toronto, Ontario, providing a key port for regional shipping during the 19th century.