FOAM – 1845

Built in 1845 by shipwright William Crawford in Bath, Ontario, the FOAM emerged as a wooden vessel dedicated to the trade that sustained communities along the Great Lakes.

With a single deck and two masts, the schooner carried the legacy of shipbuilding craftsmanship. Owned by William Crawford himself, the FOAM’s journey began in Bath, Ontario, reflecting the pride and ambition of its original owner.

As the years passed, the FOAM encountered the trials and tribulations that often marked the life of a vessel on the Great Lakes. In 1854, ownership remained with William Crawford, and the schooner continued to ply its trade, ferrying goods across the vast expanse of Lake Ontario.

However, the capricious nature of the waters soon manifested itself. In 1857, the FOAM found itself aground near Galloo Island, a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of Lake Ontario. The vessel’s connection with Kingston Harbor was marked by a dramatic incident, as lightning struck its mast, serving as a reminder of the elemental forces that seafarers must contend with.

Tragedy struck in 1858, when the FOAM met its untimely end. Wrecked on Galloo Island, the vessel faced a total loss, leaving behind a legacy of challenges and perseverance. The property loss was recorded at $1,000, a somber testament to the vessel’s final moments.

While the FOAM’s journey ended in loss, its story lives on through the records of history. The vessel’s construction, ownership, and encounters with both natural and man-made forces are woven into the fabric of maritime lore. The schooner FOAM serves as a reminder that the waters that sustain us can also pose formidable challenges, and that those who brave them are part of a timeless legacy that stretches across the waves of time.

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