Other Names #
- CHIEF JUSTICE
- ROBINSON
History #
The schooner CHIEF JUSTICE ROBINSON, also known as CHIEF JUSTICE or ROBINSON, was built in 1841 by Louis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario. The vessel had a length of 86.8 feet, a beam of 17.9 feet, and a depth of 8.4 feet. It had a tonnage of 107.
Owned by Land & Routh of Hamilton, Ontario, the Chief Justice Robinson primarily operated in the Great Lakes region. On December 1, 1848, while en route from Hamilton to Kingston, the schooner encountered a severe gale near Presque Isle, Lake Ontario. It attempted to seek shelter but was wrecked during the storm.
Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident. However, the vessel was declared a total loss, with property damage estimated at $3,500. The cargo onboard consisted of 1250 barrels of flour, which were saved but in a damaged state.
The Chief Justice Robinson was a two-masted wooden schooner with a standing bowsprit and a square stern. It had a carvel-built hull and was rigged as a schooner. The vessel’s master at the time of the wreck was Captain A. McBride.
The wreck of the Chief Justice Robinson serves as a reminder of the challenging conditions faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes. Severe storms and treacherous waters posed significant risks to vessels during the 19th century.
