FOAM – 1845

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Identification & Site Information #

Name: FOAM
Type: Wooden Schooner
Year Built: 1845
Builder: William Crawford, Bath, Ontario
Dimensions: Not specified in historical records
Tonnage: Not specified in historical records
Home Port: Bath, Ontario
Final Disposition: Wrecked near Galloo Island, Lake Ontario, in 1858
Cause of Wreck: Ran aground
Estimated Loss: $1,000
Coordinates: Near Galloo Island, Lake Ontario (exact coordinates not documented)

Vessel Type Description #

The FOAM was a wooden schooner, a type of vessel that played a crucial role in the 19th-century trade networks of the Great Lakes. Schooners like the FOAM were known for their versatility and ability to navigate the often challenging waters of the Great Lakes. Typically featuring one or two masts, these vessels were used for transporting goods and resources between growing communities along the lake shores. The FOAM was constructed with a single deck and two masts, embodying the shipbuilding craftsmanship of its time.

History #

The schooner FOAM was built in 1845 by William Crawford, a skilled shipwright from Bath, Ontario. As both the builder and the original owner, Crawford took great pride in the vessel, which represented not only his craftsmanship but also his commitment to the maritime trade that sustained communities across the Great Lakes.

In its early years, the FOAM was primarily engaged in the transport of goods across Lake Ontario. The schooner remained under the ownership of William Crawford, reflecting a personal connection to the vessel. By 1854, the FOAM had established itself as a reliable part of the lake’s trading network, continuing its voyages under Crawford’s stewardship.

However, the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes soon took its toll on the FOAM. In 1857, the schooner ran aground near Galloo Island, a reminder of the ever-present dangers faced by those who sailed these waters. Despite the grounding, the FOAM managed to continue its service, only to face another perilous incident in Kingston Harbor when lightning struck its mast. This dramatic event underscored the elemental forces that sailors had to contend with during their voyages.

The following year, in 1858, the FOAM’s journey came to a tragic end. While navigating near Galloo Island, the vessel was wrecked, resulting in a total loss. The property damage was recorded at $1,000, a significant sum at the time, and the schooner’s legacy was left to the annals of maritime history.

Final Disposition #

The wreck of the FOAM near Galloo Island in 1858 marked the end of a vessel that had braved the challenges of the Great Lakes for over a decade. The schooner, which had been a testament to the skill of its builder and the resilience of those who sailed it, succumbed to the forces of nature that it had long endured. The loss of the FOAM serves as a reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, where even the most well-crafted vessels were vulnerable to the whims of the weather and the hidden dangers beneath the waves.