IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The MARY was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in Merritton, Ontario, in 1877. It was a moderately sized vessel, with dimensions of 84 feet in length, 20.3 feet in beam, and 7 feet in depth. The schooner had a gross tonnage of 87 tons and was primarily used for transporting goods across Lake Ontario.
HISTORY #
The MARY, registered under the ownership of Andrew Baird of Toronto, set out from North Fairhaven on November 4, 1905, loaded with coal and bound for Napanee, Ontario. The crew consisted of Captain Baird and three men, all hailing from Napanee. However, after departing, no further communication was received from the MARY, causing growing concern.
By November 18, 1905, debris began washing ashore near Galloup Islands, leading to the grim conclusion that the schooner had likely met with disaster. Among the wreckage were cabins painted green and white, which strongly suggested that the remnants belonged to the MARY. This tragic incident left the fates of Captain Baird and his crew unknown, and the vessel’s disappearance remains a mystery.
The schooner MARY was a significant part of the shipping community in Ontario, contributing to the region’s coal transportation. The loss of the MARY was a somber reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The exact circumstances of the MARY’s sinking remain unclear. The wreckage discovered near Galloup Islands is believed to be from the MARY, but the vessel’s remains have not been definitively located or recovered. The tragedy underscores the perilous conditions of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Wreckage from the MARY was discovered on November 18, 1905, near Galloup Islands, Lake Ontario. However, the specific location of the shipwreck has not been identified.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The MARY’s remains have not been definitively located, making accessibility uncertain. The discovery of wreckage near Galloup Islands suggests the ship may have broken apart, with pieces scattered along the shoreline.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
KEYWORDS #
MARY, Schooner, Galloup Islands, Lake Ontario, Shipwreck, Great Lakes, Napanee, Andrew Baird, Maritime History
ANALYSIS #
The disappearance of the MARY in November 1905 highlights the inherent risks of early 20th-century navigation on the Great Lakes. The lack of modern navigational aids, combined with unpredictable weather conditions, often led to such maritime tragedies. The subsequent discovery of wreckage confirmed the worst fears, though the exact details surrounding the ship’s sinking remain unknown. The MARY’s loss adds to the many maritime mysteries of Lake Ontario and serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who made their livelihoods on these waters.
