The Story of the Schooner TARRY NOT and Her Eventful Transformations

Identification & Evolution of the Vessel

• Original Name: TARRY NOT
• Official Number: None (Canadian registry post-1860)
• Type: Wooden Schooner (later Rebuilt)
• Year Built: 1857
• Builder: A. & D. Bailey, Charlotte, NY
• Original Specifications Tonnage: 265 tons  Length: Approx. 122 ft (37.2 m)  Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m)  Depth: 10 ft (3 m)

Ownership & Registration Timeline

• 1857-1861: TARRY NOT was originally owned by Hosea Rogers of Rochester, NY, with a valuation of $8,500 and rated Class A 1* by the Board of Lake Underwriters (1860).
• 1861: Sold to Mr. Ritchie of Hamilton, Canada West (now Ontario) for $10,250, as reported by the Detroit Free Press on April 6, 1861. This marked her transition to Canadian waters for service in the Canada trade.
• 1863: Re-registered as D. McINNIS, owned by Ritchie & Co., homeported in Hamilton, Ontario.
• 1873: Rebuilt and renamed FEARLESS under the ownership of William Nickel, based out of Clayton, with a valuation of $10,000 and reclassified as Class A 2.

Vessel Type & Description

The TARRY NOT began as a traditional two-masted wooden Schooner designed for bulk freight transport, typical of Great Lakes cargo vessels in the mid-19th century. Her robust build, with a cargo capacity of around 12,500 bushels, made her ideal for hauling grain, coal, and lumber across Lakes Ontario and Erie. Following her Rebuild in 1873, the vessel received structural reinforcements, likely updating her rigging and Hull design to extend her service life as the FEARLESS.

Notable Events & History

• 1861 Sale: The vessel’s sale to Canadian interests highlighted the active cross-border maritime trade between the U.S. and Canada on the Great Lakes.
• Rebuild in 1873: The vessel underwent significant repairs and structural modifications in Kingston, Ontario, where she was renamed FEARLESS, indicating both a new chapter in service and ownership.
• Final Voyage: As the FEARLESS, the Schooner met her tragic end during a severe northeasterly gale on November 14, 1875, while carrying a cargo of coal from Oswego to Toronto.

The Loss of the FEARLESS (Former TARRY NOT)

• Date: November 14, 1875
• Location: East of the Toronto Islands, Lake Ontario
• Cause: A violent northeasterly gale with snow squalls overwhelmed the vessel. She was unable to maintain control after losing her sails and was eventually driven aground.
• Casualties: Captain William Ferguson was tragically drowned when the jolly boat capsized in heavy seas. The remaining crew was rescued after spending a harrowing night aboard the half-submerged wreck.
• Rescue Efforts: Heroic efforts were made by Thomas Tinning and his crew from the Toronto Lifeboat Station, who braved the treacherous waters to save the surviving sailors.

Final Disposition

Declared a Total Loss, the FEARLESS broke apart in the following weeks, with her remains scattered along the Toronto shoreline. The loss was estimated at $11,000, with partial insurance coverage reported. The wreck served as a stark reminder of the perilous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the unpredictable fall storms.

Resources & Links

• Detroit Free Press (April 6, 1861)
• Board of Lake Underwriters, Lake Vessel Register (1860, 1863, 1873)
• Toronto Daily Globe (November 16, 1875)
• Oswego Palladium (November 17, 1875)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The saga of the TARRY NOT—from her origins on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes, through her Canadian service as D. McINNIS, and finally to her tragic demise as the FEARLESS—illustrates the dynamic lives of 19th-century schooners. Each name change marked not just a new owner but new purposes and roles in an era when maritime commerce was the backbone of North American industry. The vessel’s ultimate loss in 1875 also stands as a testament to the fierce storms that have claimed countless ships and lives on the Great Lakes.