IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Three Friends

•Type: Schooner

•Built: 1864, Port Dover, Ontario

•Owner: Mrs. Malone, Oswego, New York

•Final Resting Place: Near Duffin’s Creek, Lake Ontario

•Last Voyage: Departed from Oswego, New York, carrying coal

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Three Friends was a Schooner built in 1864, specifically designed for the bustling trade routes of Lake Ontario. Schooners like the Three Friends were integral to the transportation of bulk goods such as coal, grain, and lumber, which supported the economic development of the Great Lakes region. Known for its reliability, the vessel had a solid reputation among traders and mariners.

HISTORY

On a fateful Friday morning, the Three Friends left Oswego, New York, laden with coal consigned to James Myles of Toronto. While E. M. Fort of Oswego had shipped the cargo, James Myles later stated he had no knowledge of or risk in the shipment.

As the Schooner embarked westward, a favorable southerly wind at three miles per hour soon shifted to the east, complicating navigation. Conditions rapidly deteriorated with heavy seas and strong northeast winds, making it impossible to maintain course. Despite the crew’s best efforts to stabilize the vessel, the ship listed heavily and began to settle.

Escape from the Vessel

Faced with imminent disaster, Captain Malone prepared the Yawl for escape. He rescued his wife from the cabin and carried her to the small boat, followed by the crew. As they launched the Yawl, the Schooner’s mainmast and topmast collapsed, nearly capsizing their escape vessel. Amidst the chaos, the Yawl was freed from the sinking debris but left adrift with only a single oar in heavy seas.

The crew endured over thirty harrowing hours adrift, battling freezing winds and towering waves. Despite moments of despair, they managed to navigate westward under the guidance of mate Joseph Lennox, who steered the Yawl, while Captain Malone attended to his wife, clad only in her nightclothes.

Survival

The crew’s ordeal ended early Saturday morning when the boat drifted ashore near Sparks Point, six miles west of Whitby, Ontario. Local resident Mr. Thomas Field discovered the exhausted survivors and provided assistance. Mrs. Malone and another crew member required medical attention due to hypothermia and extreme fatigue.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The loss of the Three Friends marked the end of its service on the Great Lakes. The Schooner was valued at $5,500 and insured with a classification of “B I.” The ship was widely known in the Lake Ontario trade, and its demise was a significant event in the maritime community.

LOCATED BY & DATE

To date, there are no confirmed modern discoveries or identifications of the wreck of the Three Friends. The exact location near Duffin’s Creek remains unverified.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Three Friends wreck.

•Mariners and divers are encouraged to consult local advisories before navigating the area near Duffin’s Creek.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Palmyra Sentinel (Historical Newspaper): Documented the Schooner’s loss and rescue efforts.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival data on Lake Ontario shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes wrecks.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Additional historical and ownership details.

CONCLUSION

The story of the Three Friends underscores the challenges faced by Great Lakes sailors during the 19th century. Despite advancements in maritime navigation, the unpredictable weather and rough waters of Lake Ontario often led to tragedy. The bravery and resilience of Captain Malone, his wife, and the crew are a testament to the human spirit in the face of peril. The wreck of the Three Friends, though unlocated, remains an enduring piece of Lake Ontario’s maritime history.

Keywords: Three Friends, Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Maritime History, Duffin’s Creek, 19th Century Sailing Vessels.