Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Two Brothers (later known as Sybella, originally Rachael)

• Other Names: Sybella, Rachael

• Year of Build: 1856

• Built At: Sorel, Quebec

• Vessel Type: Schooner (originally a Brigantine)

• Hull Materials: Wood

• Number of Decks: 1

• Builder Name: D. McCarthy & Co.

• Number of Masts: 2

• Tonnage: Initially 165 tons, increased to 172 tons post-Rebuild

Description

The Schooner, initially named Rachael and later known as Two Brothers, was constructed in 1856 by D. McCarthy & Co. in Sorel, Quebec. Designed as a robust Brigantine suited for the demands of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, the vessel would later be converted into a Schooner. With two masts and a wooden Hull, it was an adaptable vessel well-suited for various trade routes. It served primarily in cargo transport along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, reflecting the bustling maritime commerce of that era.

History

1. 1860: The vessel was registered to Jacob Savage & Co. in Sorel, Quebec. During this period, it was heavily engaged in transporting goods on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

2. 1863: Ownership transferred to Glassford, Jones & Co. in Montreal. This period saw substantial repair work to keep the vessel seaworthy.

3. 1869: The vessel underwent a significant Rebuild by David Tait in Colborne, Ontario, increasing its tonnage to 172 gross tons and earning it a new name, Sybella. It was then owned by Roberts in Montreal. As Sybella, the vessel’s service continued, although punctuated by incidents such as grounding and repair needs.

4. November 7, 1882: The Schooner, then known as Sybella, went ashore at Upper Gap in 1878. By 1882, reports indicated that it was beginning to break apart, marking the end of its active service.

5. 1865: While still known as Sybella, it ran aground near Wellington and had to be towed back to port, one of several maritime mishaps in its operational life.

The Schooner was recovered from Lake Ontario but was later buried in land reclamation efforts at Port Hope, Ontario, during the 1920s.

Final Disposition

The vessel’s operational life ended in deterioration following several maritime incidents and ownership changes. Although recovered, its remains were ultimately buried due to land reclamation at Port Hope, marking the close of its story.

Register Information

• First Registered: Kingston, 1863

• Dimensions:

• Length: 101 feet 6/10ths

• Breadth: 18 feet 5/10ths

• Depth of Hold: 7 feet 7/10ths

• Figure-Head: Scroll Figure-Head

Notmar & Advisories

As the vessel was ultimately buried in land reclamation, there are no current hazards or advisories for mariners regarding its location.

Resources & Links

• Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

• Port Hope Archives

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Comprehensive historical records for Great Lakes vessels

• Daily News (Kingston, ON), July 15, 1873

• J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, No. 2, November, 1882

Conclusion

The Schooner Two Brothers, later known as Sybella and Rachael, serves as an enduring example of the resilience and transformations characteristic of 19th-century maritime vessels. Its journey from a Brigantine to a Rebuilt Schooner, its various name changes, and its many incidents reflect the era’s dynamic and often challenging maritime industry on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Keywords: Two Brothers, Sybella, Rachael, Schooner, Great Lakes, 19th-century maritime, Sorel Quebec, Port Hope reclamation