NORTH STAR

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schooner NORTH STAR. This vessel, adorned with a gilded star atop its main truck, sailed the Great Lakes for over three decades.

In 1856, the NORTH STAR found itself aground in the Grand River, Lake Erie, an early challenge in its maritime history. This 160-ton registered schooner, boasting a rich legacy of 32 years, called Montreal its home port. It was a vessel of remarkable character, with its fine gilded star sparkling above the main truck.

However, on November 26, 1887, tragedy struck as the NORTH STAR, en route from Fair Haven to Toronto, foundered at Stoney Island in Lake Ontario. The vessel met a watery grave, becoming a total loss. The loss of property amounted to $3,500, with the unforgiving winds identified as the cause of this catastrophic event.

Let us now delve into the details of its construction and ownership. The schooner NORTH STAR was built at Point Dover, Ontario, by G. Waterbury. It was initially owned by H. Schuyler of Point Dover, Ontario. The vessel featured two masts, and its wooden hull stood proud with a length of 97′, a beam of 22′, and a depth of 8′. In 1854, it was registered in Port Dover, Ontario.

Throughout its eventful years, the NORTH STAR encountered both triumphs and losses. In 1861, it faced tragedy as a man was lost overboard, along with a boat near Genesee River in Lake Ontario. The vessel underwent several ownership changes, including Lake & Johnson of Tonawanda, New York, in 1863, and Costigan & Campan, also from Tonawanda, in 1864. A.W. Caswell (Carwell) of Detroit, Michigan, assumed ownership in 1865.

The NORTH STAR underwent a series of rebuilds and repairs to keep it sailing the Great Lakes. It endured challenges such as going ashore in Racine, Wisconsin, in September 1871. Nevertheless, the vessel persevered, being rebuilt in 1875 under the ownership of its new owner in Chicago, Illinois.

Sadly, its long and storied journey met a tragic end on November 26, 1886, when it foundered. The NORTH STAR succumbed to the depths of Lake Ontario, forever preserving its legacy in the annals of maritime history.