- Schooner
- 200ffw
- 130ft Lengths
- Long Point, Lake Erie
- Not Released
The schooner SIR T. VAN STRAUBENZIE had a rich history with various owners and incidents throughout its existence. It was launched in May 1875 and underwent changes in ownership over the years. In 1881, it was owned by John C. Miller from Parry Sound, Ontario, and was towed by the steambarge LOTHAIR with CORISANDE. The vessel experienced several significant events, including stranding in Lake Superior in November 1883 and being wrecked on the north shore of Lake Superior in July 1885. However, it was repaired in Collingwood.
By 1886, the ownership of SIR T. VAN STRAUBENZIE had transferred to John B. Miller of Parry Sound. In October 1889, the vessel encountered a leak while navigating Lake Ontario. Ownership changed again in 1890, with Isaac H. Radford from Toronto, Ontario, taking over. Later in 1895, John Williams became the new owner of the schooner.
Unfortunately, on September 27, 1909, the SIR T. VAN STRAUBENZIE met its final fate as it sank in Lake Erie. Despite its submersion, the forward mast, equipped with wire rigging, remained standing. The wreck displays signs of collision damage on its starboard side, and the cabin has collapsed. Notably, a wheel and a cast iron bell can still be found on the wreck, although the bell lacks an identifying name. Trawl nets have dragged the port anchor to the starboard side, and the ship’s yawl boat hangs from the stern on the starboard side.
In the aftermath of the sinking, there were investigations and discussions surrounding the incident. Reports circulated suggesting that the schooner may not have had proper signal lights burning when it was run down by the steamer CITY OF ERIE, approximately 20 miles southwest of Port Colborne. However, local marine experts and witnesses disputed these claims, affirming that the proper signal lights were indeed present on the SIR T. VAN STRAUBENZIE. The pilot of the CITY OF ERIE, Edward S. Pickell, was ultimately absolved of blame in the collision by Captain James Stone, the supervising inspector of steamboats.
Additional reports mentioned the tragic loss of life in the sinking, including Mrs. Madeline Connolly, the cook from Toronto, and an unidentified seaman. Concerns were raised about the handling of rescue efforts and the management of boats during the incident. Samuel Boyd, an automobile skipper from Cleveland, criticized the response to the collision and offered his eyewitness account as an experienced sailor.
In light of the incident occurring in Canadian waters, W. J. Corson of Toronto requested an investigation by the Canadian authorities into the collision that led to the sinking of the SIR T. VAN STRAUBENZIE. He expressed concerns about the sufficiency of evidence in the initial United States marine inspectors’ investigation, which had exonerated the officers of the CITY OF ERIE.
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