IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Amoskeag (renamed Horace Taber in 1883)

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Dimensions:

•Length: 138.0 feet (42.06 meters)

•Beam: 27.0 feet (8.23 meters)

•Depth: 9.6 feet (2.93 meters)

•Registered Tonnage:

•Gross: 268.49 tons

•Net: 255.07 tons

•Depth at Wreck Site: 30 feet (9.14 meters)

•Location: Simcoe Island, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: N 44° 10.025’ W 76° 32.255’

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Amoskeag, later renamed Horace Taber, was a wooden two-masted Schooner designed for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Built in 1867 in St. Clair, Michigan, it was typical of the robust vessels that formed the backbone of maritime commerce in the 19th century. With its considerable size and durable construction, the Schooner was built to endure the challenging conditions of the region.

HISTORY

The Amoskeag began its life as an American-registered vessel, serving Chicago-based trade routes. In 1883, it was renamed Horace Taberfollowing registration changes under new ownership. Throughout its decades of service, the Schooner was involved in numerous voyages, carrying cargo such as coal and lumber across the Great Lakes.

Key Events:

•1906 Gale: During a severe east gale in November, the Horace Taber drifted ashore alongside the Schooner Margaret Dall. While the Margaret Dall was deemed a Total Loss, the Horace Taber narrowly survived when shifting winds prevented complete destruction.

•1922 Snowstorm: While en route to Kingston with a cargo of coal, the Horace Taber faced a brutal snowstorm. Alongside the Schooner Mary Daryaw, it ran ashore at Four Mile Point. The Horace Taber began breaking apart due to the storm’s intensity, leading to its abandonment.

The Schooner became Canadian-registered in 1911 and continued to operate under its new flag until its eventual wrecking. Its transition from American to Canadian ownership reflects the interconnected nature of Great Lakes commerce, which transcended national boundaries.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date of Wreck: November 1922

•Cause: Severe snowstorm and subsequent structural failure.

•Location: Simcoe Island, Lake Ontario, at a depth of 30 feet.

•Current Status: The wreck remains submerged near Simcoe Island and is accessible to divers.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck lies in relatively shallow water, making it an excellent site for recreational divers. The wooden structure of the Schooner has likely deteriorated over time due to natural decay in freshwater, but key structural elements may still be visible, offering insights into its construction and history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Divehub.ca: Dive site information for the Simcoe Island area, including the Horace Taber.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Archival records and histories of Great Lakes vessels.

•Queens University Photo and Video Archives: Documentation of wrecks in Lake Ontario, including photographs and videos of the Horace Taber.

KEYWORDS

•Amoskeag

•Horace Taber

•Simcoe Island shipwreck

•Lake Ontario schooners

•Wooden Schooner wreck

•Great Lakes maritime history

•Canadian Schooner

•19th-century shipwreck

ANALYSIS

The Horace Taber exemplifies the durable wooden schooners that dominated Great Lakes commerce in the 19th and early 20th centuries. From its construction in 1867 to its final wrecking in 1922, the Schooner navigated a dynamic and often dangerous maritime environment. Its involvement in major weather events and its transition from American to Canadian ownership highlight the shared history of Great Lakes trade.

Today, the wreck serves as a historical artifact and an intriguing dive site. For divers, it offers a glimpse into the past, while for maritime historians, it underscores the challenges and innovations of Great Lakes shipping during its peak era. The wreck of the Horace Taberremains a testament to the enduring legacy of schooners in North American maritime history.