The Tragic Tale of the Schooner ROBERT BRUCE #
In the annals of maritime history, tales of lost vessels and their brave crews evoke a sense of both adventure and tragedy. One such vessel, the schooner Robert Bruce, met its untimely demise in the stormy waters of Lake Erie in December 1856. This wooden schooner, built in Buffalo, New York, in 1854, embarked on a fateful journey that would forever be etched in the maritime records. Join us as we uncover the story of the ill-fated Robert Bruce and its final voyage under the Sand Hills near Port Burwell, Ontario.
The Robert Bruce, constructed in 1854 by Leveaya in Buffalo, was a majestic wooden schooner with a length of 135 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 11 feet. With a tonnage of 325 tons, it was a vessel designed for the rigors of the Great Lakes.
Owned by E.K. Bruce of Buffalo, New York, and others, the Robert Bruce embarked on its ill-fated voyage carrying a valuable cargo of wheat and beef. Bound for Chicago from Buffalo, the schooner sailed through the vast waters of Lake Erie, braving the unpredictable forces of nature.
It was in December 1856, during a violent storm, that the Robert Bruce encountered its fatal encounter with the Sand Hills near Port Burwell, Ontario. Buffeted by strong winds and treacherous waves, the schooner was blown onto a reef, causing it to break apart. The once-proud vessel met its tragic end beneath the unforgiving waters of Lake Erie.
While the loss of the Robert Bruce was a devastating event, it is fortunate that there were no reports of loss of life. However, the vessel’s demise dealt a heavy blow to its underwriters, resulting in a financial loss of $27,000. The cargo of wheat and beef, intended for delivery, met a watery fate, adding to the tragedy of the incident.
In the wake of the Robert Bruce’s loss, the vessel underwent a transformation. It was rebuilt as the schooner Harriet Ann, with a reduced tonnage of 30 tons, at Duck Island, Ontario. Though its name and form changed, the memory of the Robert Bruce lives on as a testament to the perils faced by seafarers in the unforgiving waters of Lake Erie.
The tale of the schooner Robert Bruce serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of the sea. Its tragic encounter with a reef beneath Lake Erie’s turbulent waters stands as a testament to the power of storms and the fragility of even the sturdiest vessels. Let us remember the Robert Bruce and its crew, who braved the tempestuous Great Lakes, as we pay tribute to their valiant spirits and the enduring legacy of their maritime endeavors.
