Identification & Site Information

•Name: ANN

•Type: Schooner

•Construction: Wooden Hull

•Cargo: 2,257 bushels of wheat

•Length: Not specified

•Beam: Not specified

•Depth: Not specified

•Location: Near Cobourg, Ontario, and Big Sandy Creek, approximately 10 miles offshore, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Approximate; not precisely recorded

•Date of Incident: December 1-2, 1840

•Condition: Presumed lost at sea

•Accessibility: Inaccessible, likely lost to the depths of Lake Ontario

Vessel Type Description

The Schooner ANN was a wooden-hulled sailing vessel, emblematic of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Such vessels were indispensable for the bulk transportation of commodities like grain and lumber. Powered by wind and relying on skillful navigation, schooners like the ANN connected communities across the lakes, facilitating commerce and development.

History

The Schooner ANN, owned by Charles Gunn of Hamilton, Upper Canada, embarked on a journey to transport 2,257 bushels of wheat for A.T. Kirby of Flamboro, U.C., from Hamilton to Kingston. Departing on Sunday, November 29, 1840, the voyage quickly turned perilous when a severe squall struck the vessel off the Cobourg coast on Monday, November 30.

The storm tore away critical components, including the foresail boom, jibbs, bulwarks, and Stanchions, severely compromising the Schooner. Despite efforts to pump out water and jettison cargo, the ANN began leaking and lost its Yawl, leaving it adrift and vulnerable.

By December 1, 1840, the vessel neared the mouth of Big Sandy Creek. A daring rescue mission by local volunteers, including Wm. Smith, S. Wood, J.G. Ireland, S. Smith, and E. Wood, successfully saved the exhausted crew after a grueling four-hour effort in dangerous conditions.

While the crew survived, the fate of the ANN was sealed. It is presumed to have sunk in the continued storm, either breaking apart or drifting to deeper waters. The exact location of the wreck remains unconfirmed.

Final Disposition

The Schooner ANN was Abandoned and presumed lost to Lake Ontario’s depths. It is unknown if the wreck remains intact or has disintegrated over time.

Located By & Date

The stranded Schooner was spotted near Big Sandy Creek on December 1, 1840. The crew was rescued the following day, December 2, but the vessel itself was never salvaged or recovered.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational warnings related to the ANN, as its exact location remains undetermined.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the wreck is unknown, as it has not been located. It is presumed to rest at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario, rendering it inaccessible to divers or researchers.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Archives

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Listings

3.Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel Records

4.Kingston Chronicle & Gazette: January 5, 1841.

Keywords

Schooner ANN, Lake Ontario shipwreck, 1840 storm, Cobourg Ontario, Big Sandy Creek, wheat cargo, shipwreck rescue, Great Lakes maritime history, lost Schooner.

Analysis

The story of the Schooner ANN encapsulates the perils of 19th-century navigation on the Great Lakes. Despite its small size, the vessel’s loss and the subsequent dramatic rescue highlight the challenges faced by mariners of the time. The crew’s survival and the heroic efforts of local rescuers remain a testament to human resilience and courage. The ANN’s presumed location at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario makes it a mysterious yet integral piece of Great Lakes maritime history.