The Fiery End of the Edward Blake Schooner #
The Edward Blake was a three-masted wooden schooner that sailed the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Built in 1872 by L. McDermand in Port Burwell, Ontario, this vessel had a significant history before meeting its tragic demise. On October 23, 1898, while underway near the Duck Islands, close to Manitoulin in Lake Huron, the Edward Blake fell victim to a devastating fire. This article explores the details surrounding the loss of the Edward Blake, the events leading up to the fire, and the aftermath of the tragic incident.
Constructed in 1872, the Edward Blake was originally built as a barge with a length of 138.6 feet, a beam of 25.8 feet, and a depth of 12.2 feet. With a gross tonnage of 360, it served as a vital transportation vessel for various cargoes. However, in the same year of its construction, the Edward Blake underwent a significant transformation and was rebuilt as a three-masted schooner, retaining its original dimensions.
Throughout its operational years, the Edward Blake experienced multiple ownership changes and encountered noteworthy incidents. After its reconstruction, it was initially owned by Catharine Higgins and Elisha P. Titus before changing hands several times. It had associations with individuals such as Ross Robertson of Kincardine, Benjamin R. Clarkson of Toronto, and Leonard St. John of St. Catharines. Towing services were often provided by steamers like the Kincardine, Celtic, and SCOTIA.
On October 23, 1898, tragedy struck the Edward Blake while it was underway near the Duck Islands. A fire broke out on board, quickly engulfing the vessel. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire raged uncontrollably, leaving the crew helpless. The burning schooner eventually ran aground on Main Duck Island, where it was reduced to a charred wreck.
The Edward Blake, out of Kingston, Ontario, was owned at the time of the incident by banker Thomas Mills. The vessel’s master, Captain John Sidney, and the crew managed to escape the fiery inferno without loss of life. However, the ship itself, along with its cargo, was entirely destroyed. The charred remains of the Edward Blake served as a somber reminder of the destructive power of fire on the open waters of Lake Huron.
The Edward Blake, originally a barge turned schooner, met a tragic end in a fiery blaze near the Duck Islands in Lake Huron. The vessel’s rich history, marked by ownership changes and various incidents, came to an abrupt halt on October 23, 1898. The fire, which broke out while the schooner was underway, quickly consumed the vessel, leaving it as a charred wreck on Duck Island. The loss of the Edward Blake stands as a testament to the inherent dangers faced by sailors and vessels plying the Great Lakes, where even the mightiest ships can succumb to the forces of nature.
