NORTHERN LIGHTS

History #

The Northern Lights: A Forgotten Schooner of the Great Lakes

The NORTHERN LIGHTS a 2-masted scow schooner, was more than just a vessel traversing the waters of the Great Lakes. Built in 1899 at the renowned Frank Phelps’ Shipyard in Chaumont, this majestic schooner embarked on a maritime journey that would come to be overshadowed by the passage of time. Captained by the esteemed William Shelley Sr. of Cape Vincent, the NORTHERN LIGHTS plied the waters, transporting baled hay, and even fancy peas and beans to the seed houses at Chaumont.

Classified as both a large schooner and a river scow, the NORTHERN LIGHTS possessed unique features that set her apart. Her bow deck extended all the way to the mast, creating a distinct visual appeal. Notably, she boasted wide running boards on either side, which reached back to the stern deck. It was on this platform that the helmsman would stand, skillfully guiding the vessel with a sweeping helm. Below the front deck, just in front of the mast, lay the cabin or forecastle. Accessible only through a companionway or trap door, this cozy space provided respite for the crew during their arduous journeys.

In a twist of fate, the NORTHERN LIGHTS eventually changed hands and was sold to Dexter Dibble of Sackets Harbor. It was under the stewardship of Dexter’s sons, Spencer and Sam, that the vessel met its untimely demise. In November of 1916, as the schooner was being loaded with gravel at Calf Island, tragedy struck. Breaking loose from her moorings, the Northern Lights found herself stranded upon a stone bar that ran parallel to Galloo Islands east side, aptly known as Gill Harbor due to the presence of the Gill Family’s Boatyard being located in the Northwest Corner of the harbor. For an entire year, she remained stranded, a stoic witness to the passing seasons.

Then, during a sudden storm, the schooner‘s fate took a fateful turn. Nature’s relentless forces conspired, causing the NORTHERN LIGHTS to break free from her rocky prison and float into the harbor. Yet, her freedom was short-lived, as she succumbed to the depths below, sinking to the silence of the lake’s floor. The Northern Lights, once a proud symbol of maritime commerce, now lay forgotten beneath the waves.

While on one of her commutes to Galloo island, longtime caretaker Roxanne Grant noticed what appeared to be the remnants of sunken wreckage along a shoal just off Galloo Island. Tim Caza, a US Coast Guard captain and active scuba diver along with his partner Dennis Gerber dove the site in June 2022. They confirmed it was a previously undiscovered double-masted daggerboard scow schooner like the ones that plied the Great Lakes in the early 1800s.

Scow schooners, like the NORTHERN LIGHTS, played an integral role in the region’s local economies. These utilitarian vessels were typically owned and operated by common men who relied on them for their livelihoods. The hard work and toil of countless individuals went into navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes, transporting goods and supporting the growth of communities along the shores.

Unfortunately, the fate of these scow schooners, even those lost with all hands, often slipped from the collective memory as time passed. The NORTHERN LIGHTS a vessel that once illuminated the waterways with her presence, now rests silently beneath the surface—a testament to the ephemeral nature of maritime history.

Let us remember the Northern Lights, her dedicated crew, and the countless scow schooners that forged the maritime legacy of the Great Lakes. Though their stories may have faded from the annals of history, they deserve recognition for their contributions to the growth and prosperity of the region.

As we gaze upon the tranquil waters, may we take a moment to reflect upon the forgotten vessels that once sailed these expansive lakes, forever etching their mark upon the tapestry of time.

In memory of the NORTHERN LIGHTS and the men who sailed her.

Note: The historical information and details surrounding the NORTHERN LIGHTS are based on available records and may be subject to variations in different sources.

Photo Gallery 2023 Daniel Gildea CC #

Youtube Video by Dan Gildea #