Construction and Early History
The Britannia was a wooden schooner constructed in 1860 by shipbuilder D. Foster in Port Ryerse, Ontario. Designed for the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes, the schooner measured 87 feet in length, with a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 7 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 124 tons and a net tonnage of 118 tons, making it a capable cargo carrier for its time.
The Britannia served in the bustling maritime trade of the Great Lakes, transporting goods such as wheat and other bulk cargoes across the region. The schooner was a typical example of the workhorse vessels that played a vital role in the economic life of the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
The Storm and Final Voyage
On October 30, 1870, the Britannia encountered its final and most devastating challenge. While sailing near Cleveland on Lake Erie, the schooner was caught in a severe storm that swept across the lake. The gale was powerful enough to drive the Britannia ashore, where it was wrecked. The storm was so severe that many other vessels met a similar fate, highlighting the scale and intensity of the weather event.
The exact details of the wreck, including the number of crew members on board and the cargo being carried, remain unclear. However, it is known that by November 8, 1870, the Britannia was being stripped of its valuable parts and abandoned, signaling the end of the vessel’s service.
Injury and Casualties
One of the few detailed accounts from the storm involves a crew member named Alonza Grant, who was severely injured during the gale. Grant’s injuries were so serious that his leg had to be amputated, and reports at the time indicated that his survival was uncertain. This tragic detail adds a human element to the story of the Britannia’s final voyage, reminding us of the perilous conditions faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.
Previous Incidents
The Britannia had encountered trouble before its final wreck in 1870. In October 1866, the schooner was involved in another incident while carrying a cargo of wheat on Lake Erie. During this voyage, some of the cargo was damaged, resulting in an estimated property loss of $1,000—a significant sum at the time. Unfortunately, further details about this earlier incident are not available, but it suggests that the Britannia had faced the challenges of Great Lakes shipping before.
Legacy and Remembrance
The Britannia’s story, like many other vessels of its time, is a testament to the dangers and unpredictability of maritime life on the Great Lakes. The schooner’s final wreck during the storm of October 1870, and the injury to crew member Alonza Grant, highlight the risks faced by those who made their living on these inland seas.
While the Britannia was ultimately stripped and abandoned, leaving little trace of its existence, its story lives on in historical records and serves as a reminder of the many ships and sailors lost to the treacherous waters of Lake Erie. The inclusion of the Britannia in the Department of Marine & Fisheries’ casualty statement for 1870 underscores the impact of its loss on the maritime community.
Resources & Links
Keywords
Britannia, schooner, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Erie, Cleveland, Port Ryerse, maritime history, vessel loss, storm wreck, 19th-century shipping, shipwreck remembrance.
Ongoing Research & Monitoring
Further research into the Britannia may uncover additional details about the vessel’s construction, its earlier incidents, and any surviving documentation or artifacts related to its final voyage. Continuous monitoring of maritime history archives and shipwreck databases will ensure that any new information about the Britannia is integrated into its historical narrative.
