IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Amoskeag, later renamed Horace Taber, was a wooden schooner built in 1867 in St. Clair, Michigan. With a substantial length of 138 feet, it was a sizable vessel designed for the transportation of cargo across the Great Lakes. Initially registered in Chicago, Illinois, the schooner played an active role in maritime trade for several decades.
HISTORY #
The schooner Amoskeag began its service life under that name before it was officially renamed Horace Taber on April 17, 1883, in accordance with the Act of March 2, 1881. The vessel continued to operate out of its homeport in Chicago, Illinois, under its new name, maintaining its role in the busy Great Lakes shipping lanes.
In November 1906, the Horace Taber was caught in a severe east gale, which led to significant trouble for the vessel. Alongside another schooner, the Margaret Dall, the Horace Taber drifted ashore and was at risk of becoming a total loss. Although the Margaret Dall was deemed a total loss, the Horace Taber narrowly avoided the same fate thanks to a shift in the wind.
The Horace Taber faced another perilous situation in November 1922 when it was involved in a severe snowstorm while en route to Kingston with a cargo of coal. Along with the schooner Mary Daryaw, the Horace Taber ended up ashore at Four Mile Point. While the Mary Daryaw remained relatively undamaged, the Horace Taber began to break apart due to the force of the storm.
Notably, the Horace Taber became a Canadian vessel in 1911 after being built in the United States. The schooner’s long history of service on the Great Lakes illustrates the challenges faced by wooden ships of the era, including severe weather and the dangers of navigating the often treacherous waters of the region.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Horace Taber was wrecked off Simcoe Island in Lake Ontario, where it now lies at a depth of 30 feet. The site is located at the provided coordinates and is part of the broader historical maritime landscape of the Great Lakes.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the Horace Taber rests in relatively shallow water, making it accessible to recreational divers. The site is located near Simcoe Island, a region known for its underwater wrecks and historical significance. Divers exploring this wreck can expect to find the remains of a once-sturdy wooden schooner, though its condition may vary due to its long submersion and the natural decay of wood in freshwater environments.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Information for divers exploring the Simcoe Island area, including the wreck of the Horace Taber.
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Historical data and ship histories, including details on the Horace Taber.
- Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting the wrecks in Lake Ontario, including the Horace Taber.
KEYWORDS #
- Amoskeag
- Horace Taber
- Simcoe Island shipwreck
- Lake Ontario schooners
- Great Lakes maritime history
- Wooden schooner wreck
- Chicago maritime trade
- Canadian schooner
ANALYSIS #
The Horace Taber (originally Amoskeag) is a notable example of the wooden schooners that were once the backbone of Great Lakes shipping. Built in 1867, the vessel had a long and varied career, marked by ownership changes, severe weather incidents, and eventually, a shift to Canadian registry. The schooner’s encounters with natural disasters, such as the 1906 gale and the 1922 snowstorm, highlight the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation during this period.
The wreck of the Horace Taber near Simcoe Island serves as a testament to the challenging conditions faced by mariners and the durability of wooden shipbuilding practices of the 19th century. For divers and maritime historians, the site offers a unique opportunity to explore a piece of Great Lakes history, with the relatively shallow depth making it accessible for underwater exploration. The wreck contributes to the broader understanding of the Great Lakes’ role in North American maritime commerce and the legacy of wooden schooners in this region.
