Identification & Site Information

• Name: HURON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: C71202
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 3-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1874
• Builder: D. McMurchie, St. Marysburgh, Ontario
• Measurements: 123 ft (37.5 m) length, 24 ft (7.3 m) beam, 10 ft (3 m) depth; 234 gross and net tons
• Date Lost: July 4, 1890
• Place of Loss: Off the “Dummy” Light near Point Pelee, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Wooden Three-Masted Schooner

Description

The HURON was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1874 by D. McMurchie in St. Marysburgh, Ontario. Measuring 123 feet in length and weighing 234 tons, the HURON was a typical example of the large schooners that plied the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. These vessels were critical to transporting bulk materials like iron ore, coal, and lumber from extraction sites to industrial centers across the region.

History

The HURON operated under the ownership of Thompson & Co. of Windsor, Ontario, and was a familiar sight on Lake Erie, particularly in the iron ore trade. On her final voyage, the HURON was under tow by the Steamer LOTHAIR, a common practice for schooners at the time, as steamships provided more reliable propulsion in calm or adverse weather conditions.

On July 4, 1890, while en route from McKellar’s Island to Buffalo, the HURON encountered a summer storm off Point Pelee, near the “Dummy” Light—a navigational marker located on the western tip of Point Pelee. Despite being under tow, the Schooner Foundered in the rough weather, sinking beneath the waves. The precise circumstances leading to the sinking are not detailed, but such losses were often attributed to water ingress from structural weaknesses or the shifting of heavy cargo like iron ore during turbulent conditions.

Records do not specify whether there were any losses of life, though schooners under tow typically had reduced crews aboard.

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Final Disposition

Foundered in a summer storm while under tow by the Steamer LOTHAIR off Point Pelee, Lake Erie, on July 4, 1890. The vessel was a Total Loss. The number of lives lost, if any, is unknown.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the HURON wreck being located off Point Pelee, though the area is known for numerous shipwrecks.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the HURON wreck site near Point Pelee, Lake Erie.

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Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Canadian Hydrographic Service

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Conclusion

The HURON’s foundering in 1890 highlights the dangers faced by schooners on the Great Lakes, even during the summer months when storms could arise unexpectedly. As a three-masted Schooner engaged in the iron ore trade, the vessel was part of the vital supply chain that fueled the industrial boom of the late 19th century. Despite being under tow by the Steamer LOTHAIR, the HURON succumbed to the harsh conditions off Point Pelee, a region known for its navigational hazards and frequent shipwrecks.

While the exact loss of life remains unknown, the story of the HURON contributes to the broader history of Great Lakes shipping, underscoring the risks that mariners faced in transporting bulk goods across these inland seas.

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Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: HURON Schooner shipwreck, Point Pelee shipwreck, Lake Erie iron ore Schooner, Windsor Ontario shipping history, summer storm Great Lakes shipwreck
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Iron Ore Freighter Losses, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
• Foundered: A maritime term meaning that a vessel filled with water and sank, often due to weather conditions, structural failure, or cargo shifts.
• Dummy Light: A colloquial term for navigational markers or lights, often referring to Point Pelee’s aids to navigation on Lake Erie.
• Under Tow: A common practice for schooners in the late 19th century, where steam-powered vessels would tow sail-powered ships to conserve wind energy or navigate difficult waters.