Annandale, a schooner, was launched in Kingston in 1868, marking the beginning of its seafaring journey. Owned by George Irving of Burlington, Ontario, the vessel had an official Canada number of 72572 and a registration of 180 tons. It had dimensions of 111.8 feet in length, 24.9 feet in beam, and 9.1 feet in depth. The Annandale underwent a rebuild in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in 1879.
Over the years, the ownership of the Annandale changed hands. In 1874, the vessel was sold to the USA and then repurchased by a Canadian owner. From 1871 to 1873, it was owned by Caruthers & Co. based in Kingston, Ontario. On February 2, 1871, the ownership shifted to Peter Mowat and others from Ernestown, Ontario. By 1878, Peter Mowat became the sole owner, and the Annandale was registered in Kingston. At that time, its dimensions were recorded as 110 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 9.1 feet in depth, with a net tonnage of 181.
In 1879, the Annandale underwent another rebuilding process under the same ownership. However, the vessel faced misfortune in 1889 when it ran ashore and wrecked in a storm at Port Credit. It was subsequently rebuilt, showcasing the resilience of the ship and its owners.
The final chapter in the Annandale’s history occurred on October 3, 1905, when it stranded and wrecked on Charity Shoal near Sackett’s Harbor, New York, in Lake Ontario. The vessel’s demise was attributed to a combination of fog and a subsequent storm. It was a tragic end for the schooner that had sailed the Great Lakes for several decades.
In December 1900, the Annandale was sold by Captain Frank McMaster to Captain William Irving of Burlington. Captain McMaster had maintained the vessel in impeccable condition, resulting in its classification as A 2 1/2, denoting its excellent quality. At the time of the sale, the Annandale was carrying a cargo of 400 tons. It was expected that the schooner would continue operating on the same route it had previously served under Captain McMaster’s ownership. The fate of Captain McMaster’s future in the shipping industry, as well as the potential purchase of another vessel, remained undecided.
Sources and External Links #
- Great Lakes Ships Website
- Crew Records at Bowling Green State University Website
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Buffalo Evening News, October 6, 1905
- Buffalo Evening News, October 7, 1905
- List of Vessels on the Registry Books of the Dominion of Canada on December 31, 1902
- Detroit Free Press, September 12, 1871
- Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869, Capt. J.W. Hall
- Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, August 18, 1868Sourc
