Shipwreck Report: Nett Woodward (1867–1892)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Nett Woodward (often recorded as Nettie Woodward)
• Official Number: None (Canadian Registry)
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1867, by A. Woodward, Port Rowan, Ontario
• Final Location: Near Southampton, Ontario, Lake Huron
• Date Lost: August 31, 1892
• Cause: Capsized while attempting to enter Southampton Harbor during a storm
• Final Cargo: Cedar logs
• Loss of Life: 2 sailors perished
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  •  Length: 107 feet (32.6 meters) Beam: 25 feet (7.6 meters) Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)
• Tonnage: 175 tons
• Owner: Likely A. Woodward, Port Rowan, Ontario
• Master at Loss: Unknown

Operational History

The Nett Woodward was a mid-sized wooden Schooner built in 1867 at Port Rowan, Ontario, by shipbuilder A. Woodward. The vessel was primarily engaged in the transport of timber and bulk goods along the Great Lakes trade routes. She frequently carried cedar logs, which were highly valuable for shipbuilding, railway ties, and construction. Like many wooden schooners of the era, the Nett Woodward operated on both Canadian and American ports, navigating the often hazardous waters of Lake Huron.

She had at least one previous near-loss incident:  In September 1889, while bound for Detroit, she was driven ashore near Southampton, Ontario during a storm. At the time, it was expected she would break up, but she was eventually refloated and repaired. This foreshadowed her ultimate fate three years later, when she was lost in nearly the same location.

Final Voyage & Loss (August 31, 1892)

Attempt to Enter Southampton Harbor: On August 31, 1892, the Nett Woodward was sailing toward Southampton, Ontario, carrying a load of cedar logs. A severe gale was blowing, making navigation extremely dangerous. The crew attempted to maneuver the Schooner into the safety of the harbor, but strong winds and waves caused the vessel to go out of control.

 Capsizing in the Storm: Unable to maintain course, the Nett Woodward capsized in the heavy seas.  The crew struggled to escape, and two sailors perished in the chaos.  One of the victims, the mate, clung to a makeshift raft of hatch covers.

A Tragic Drift to Shore: The mate drifted across the harbor past multiple vessels, but no rescue attempt could be made due to the storm’s intensity. After hours of exposure, he washed up on the opposite shore, where he succumbed to hypothermia and exhaustion.

Wreckage Washed Ashore:  The remains of the Nett Woodward eventually drifted ashore, but the vessel was deemed a Total Loss. The Schooner broke apart in the surf, leaving no hope of salvage.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Southampton, Ontario, Lake Huron
• Depth: Likely very shallow (wreck drifted ashore)
• Current Condition: The wreck of the Nett Woodward was destroyed by waves and storms after she drifted ashore.  If any remains exist, they would be buried under sand or dispersed along the shore.  Some iron fastenings or wooden fragments may still be found near Southampton’s beaches.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest:  Unlike deeper wrecks, coastal wrecks like the Nett Woodward are often completely broken up.  However, local divers or beachcombers may still find remnants of the vessel.

Legacy and Significance

A Common Fate for Timber Schooners Many wooden schooners carrying timber were lost in storms, as they were heavily loaded and difficult to maneuver in high winds.  The Nett Woodward was one of many vessels lost while trying to enter a safe harbor.

The Dangers of Lake Huron Storms  Lake Huron has claimed more schooners than almost any other Great Lake, due to its exposed coastline and frequent storms. Even experienced crews could lose control in high winds, as seen in the Nett Woodward’s loss.

A Story of Survival and Tragedy  The mate’s desperate attempt to survive—drifting on a makeshift raft across the harbor—is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by 19th-century sailors. Despite making it to shore, he died of exposure, showing how even reaching land did not always guarantee survival.

A Likely Forgotten Wreck Because the wreck was destroyed by storms, Nett Woodward is not a well-known shipwreck today However, local historical societies and maritime researchers still document such losses to preserve the region’s maritime history.

Further Research and Resources

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston  https://www.marmuseum.ca Preserves records of Canadian schooners and shipwrecks.
• Southampton, Ontario Maritime Heritage https://www.southamptonontario.org May contain local history on shipwrecks near Southampton.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Database of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including those in Ontario waters.
• Fathom Five National Marine Park (Near Tobermory, Ontario – Protects Great Lakes Wrecks) https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/fathomfive

Conclusion

The Nett Woodward was a hardworking timber Schooner, operating on the Great Lakes for 25 years before capsizing in a storm while attempting to enter Southampton Harbor in 1892.

Despite efforts to save the vessel, she drifted ashore and was destroyed, with two crew members losing their lives—including the mate, who tragically perished after drifting across the harbor on a makeshift raft.

Though no significant remains exist today, her loss remains a stark reminder of the dangers of sailing the Great Lakes in the age of wooden schooners.