IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
- Vessel Name: Snow Bird (formerly Minnie Proctor)
- Year of Build: Original construction date unknown, rebuilt in 1863.
- Official Number: Not specified, first registered as Minnie Proctor.
- Construction and Ownership:
- Built At: Presqu’ile Bay (rebuild)
- Vessel Type: Schooner (formerly brigantine)
- Hull Materials: Wood
- Builder Name: Rebuilt possibly by Captain William Quick
- Master Carpenter: Not specified
- Power: Two masts, schooner rig.
- Hull Dimensions:
- Length: 77 feet
- Beam: 18 feet
- Depth: 6 feet 7 inches
- Tonnage (old style): 82 tons
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
- Final Location: Toronto Bay, near the yacht club.
- Date: Spring of 1904
- How: The vessel was frozen in during winter, filled with ice, and sank as a result.
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Snow Bird was a well-known schooner on Lake Ontario, recognized for her robust construction and ability to handle well, especially to windward. Her dimensions and build suggest she was designed for general cargo transport, including coal and barley, across the Great Lakes. Throughout her life, she underwent several rebuilds and changes in ownership, adapting to the demands of lake navigation.
HISTORY: #
The Snow Bird, originally known as the Minnie Proctor, was a vessel with a mysterious origin. Her first known rebuild occurred in Presqu’ile Bay in 1863, and she was subsequently named Minnie Proctor by her owner, John E. Proctor. The vessel was driven ashore at Oakville, salvaged, and purchased by Thompson Smith, M.P., who renamed her Snow Bird in 1875.
She served in various trades, often carrying coal, lumber, and other goods between ports on Lake Ontario. The Snow Bird was known for her strong build and reliability in difficult conditions, although she was also prone to becoming icebound, as happened during a voyage to Oswego where she was trapped in Weller’s Bay.
Her service continued until 1904 when she was frozen in near the yacht club in Toronto Bay. The ice-filled hull caused her to sink in the spring of that year, marking the end of her long and storied career on the Great Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
- Final Activity: 1904, near Toronto Island, frozen and subsequently sank in the spring.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
The Snow Bird was subject to the typical risks of lake navigation, particularly during the late fall and winter when ice conditions could trap vessels, as happened in her last years.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Link
- Local Historical Societies: Toronto, Oakville, and Brighton areas.
CONCLUSION: #
The Snow Bird was a resilient schooner that navigated the challenges of Great Lakes shipping for several decades. From her mysterious origins to her final resting place in Toronto Bay, she represents the hardy vessels that played a critical role in the commerce and daily life of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
