IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Flora L. Baines

•Type: Steam Propeller Tug

•Build Year: 1874

•Builder: Unknown, Penetanguishene, Ontario

•Dimensions: 31.3 feet (9.5 meters) x 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) x 3.4 feet (1 meter)

•Gross Tonnage: 9 tons

•Net Tonnage: 6 tons

•Final Voyage Date: September 13, 1879

•Wreck Date: September 13, 1879

•Location: Off Oakville, Ontario, Lake Ontario, Canada

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Condition: Foundered and sunk during a storm; status of wreck unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Flora L. Baines was a compact steam propeller Tug constructed with a wooden Hull and a round Stern. The vessel’s small size and low tonnage indicated its primary role in light towing and Ferry services within harbors and confined waterways. It was powered by a modest single-cylinder engine with an output of 4 horsepower, employing a Screw Propulsion system common in such vessels of the era. Despite its size, the Tug played a critical role in short-distance maritime operations, particularly in ferrying passengers and goods.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Operations

The Flora L. Baines was built in 1874 in Penetanguishene, Ontario, a town renowned for its shipbuilding tradition. Initially owned by Edward Baines of Toronto, the vessel served as a Ferry within Toronto Harbor, facilitating transportation across the bustling urban waterfront. Its design prioritized maneuverability and ease of operation, making it ideal for navigating the constrained waterways of the harbor.

Service on Lake Simcoe

In 1876, the vessel was transferred to Lake Simcoe, where it was intended to provide similar Ferry services. However, its operations on Lake Simcoe appear to have been short-lived, as the Tug returned to Toronto later that year. The reasons for this relocation remain speculative, but it is likely that the vessel’s capabilities were better suited to the smaller, busier harbors of Toronto than the broader expanse of Lake Simcoe.

The Final Voyage

On September 13, 1879, the Flora L. Baines met its demise in a dramatic and tragic fashion. The Tug was caught in a freshet in the Credit River, a sudden surge of water caused by heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. The current swept the small vessel out into Lake Ontario, where it encountered a severe storm. The storm’s ferocity overwhelmed the Tug, and it sank off the coast of Oakville, Ontario.

The exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear. The vessel’s small size and limited power may have left it particularly vulnerable to the adverse weather conditions. While some confusion exists regarding the exact date of the sinking, with alternate sources suggesting it may have occurred in 1878, most records support the 1879 date.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Flora L. Baines was declared lost following its sinking in Lake Ontario. Its registry was formally closed on January 21, 1880, cementing the end of its short-lived career on the Great Lakes. The Tug’s modest dimensions and the violent nature of its sinking make locating the wreck site challenging.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Flora L. Baines has not been definitively located, and its condition remains unknown. If found, the wreck is likely to be highly deteriorated due to its wooden construction and over a century of submersion in Lake Ontario’s waters. Its size and potential fragmentation further complicate accessibility. As of now, the wreck does not appear to be a known dive site or subject of underwater archaeological exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed archives and historical records

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel history and specifications

•Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills Listing: Historical and technical details on Great Lakes vessels

KEYWORDS

Flora L. Baines, steam Tug, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Credit River freshet, Oakville maritime history, Great Lakes, Penetanguishene shipbuilding, 19th-century Ferry services, Edward Baines, lost vessel.

CONCLUSION

The Flora L. Baines represents a small but significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario. Its brief career, marked by its service as a Ferry and its tragic end in a storm, highlights the challenges faced by even the most modest vessels on the Great Lakes. Though its wreck remains undiscovered, the Flora L. Baines serves as a poignant reminder of the era’s maritime heritage and the resilience of the sailors who navigated these inland seas.