IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: AGNES HOPE

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1869

•Builder: A. Robertson, Hamilton, Ontario

Dimensions:

•Length: 120 feet (36.6 meters)

•Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters)

•Depth: 10 feet (3.05 meters)

•Tonnage: 220 tons

•Home Port: Port Hope, Ontario

•Final Disposition: Wrecked on Ford Shoals, Lake Ontario, November 1884

•Cause of Wreck: Severe storm; vessel became waterlogged and unmanageable

•Coordinates: N43.4425656, W76.6041231

•Depth at Wreck Site: 0 – 10 feet (0 – 3 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The AGNES HOPE was a wooden Schooner, a two-masted sailing vessel widely used for transporting cargo in the 19th century. Schooners like the AGNES HOPE were essential for carrying bulky goods, such as lumber, across the Great Lakes. Known for their maneuverability and capacity, these vessels formed the backbone of maritime commerce in the region. The AGNES HOPE’s design, with its long length and deep hold, allowed it to carry heavy loads efficiently while navigating challenging lake conditions.

HISTORY

The AGNES HOPE was built in 1869 by A. Robertson in Hamilton, Ontario, for Clark, a prominent shipping merchant. The vessel primarily transported lumber, an industry vital to the development of Ontario and New York ports. With Captain Savage at the helm, the Schooner became a familiar sight on Lake Ontario, contributing to the region’s trade network.

Final Voyage:

In November 1884, the AGNES HOPE embarked on what would be its final voyage, departing Belleville, Ontario, with a full deckload of green lumber destined for Oswego, New York. As the Schooner approached Ford Shoals near Oswego, it encountered a severe storm. The weight of the waterlogged lumber cargo made the vessel increasingly difficult to control.

Despite the crew’s efforts, the Schooner broke up on Ford Shoals. The situation became dire as the vessel listed to its side and began to disintegrate. Captain Savage ordered the crew into the Yawl-boat, which they successfully lowered into the stormy waters.

Rescue Efforts:

The passing Schooner Jessie McDonald spotted the struggling crew and extended a lifeline. A crew member, William McCrimmon, managed to catch the line, ensuring the safe transfer of all aboard to the rescuing vessel. Despite the rescue, the AGNES HOPE was declared a Total Loss as waves battered its remains, scattering debris along the Oswego County shoreline.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the AGNES HOPE now lies in shallow waters near Ford Shoals, partially buried under sediment and wave action. Debris from the vessel, including ribs, planks, and remnants of its cargo, can still be found along the shoals. Though no longer a hazard to navigation, the site stands as a stark reminder of the perilous nature of 19th-century shipping on the Great Lakes.

LEGACY AND AFTERMATH

The actions of the crew during the storm, particularly the bravery of Captain Savage and his son, Will Savage, left a lasting legacy. Will Savage, just a boy at the time, would later become a well-respected sailor, continuing the maritime tradition of resilience and adaptability. The wreck of the AGNES HOPE contributed valuable lessons about cargo management and vessel stability in severe weather.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Disasters to Lake Shipping, 1884 – Cleveland Herald, Nov. 28, 1884

•Oswego Palladium (Oswego, NY), Nov. 7, 1884

•Google Maps Location – Ford Shoals

KEYWORDS

•AGNES HOPE

•Lake Ontario shipwreck

•Ford Shoals

•Wooden Schooner

•Great Lakes maritime history

•19th-century shipwreck

•Oswego, New York

•Port Hope, Ontario

The story of the AGNES HOPE illustrates the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners and the critical role these vessels played in building the region’s economy. Though lost, the Schooner remains a significant part of maritime history, with its tale preserved through historical records and the memories of its crew.