Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description: #
The Florence Howard was a wooden schooner, a common type of vessel used for transporting bulk goods across the Great Lakes during the 19th century. With a single deck and two masts, the schooner was capable of carrying substantial cargo. The Florence Howard had a gross tonnage of 119 tons under the old measurement system, giving it a cargo capacity of around 7,000 bushels, often used for transporting grains such as barley and wheat, which were essential commodities during that era.
History: #
The Florence Howard was constructed in Picton, Ontario, a region known for its shipbuilding industry in the 19th century. The schooner began its service under the ownership of B. Flint of Belleville, Ontario, in 1863. It underwent significant repairs in 1866, indicating its active use and the wear and tear experienced on the Great Lakes. In 1870, the vessel was involved in a collision with another ship named Dominion while sailing 25 miles from Rochester, highlighting the dangers and crowded conditions on the waterways during this period.
Following the collision, ownership of the schooner shifted to David Andrews, also of Belleville. Despite the repairs and continued use, the Florence Howard met its tragic end on November 20, 1883. The vessel was transporting 5,000 bushels of barley from Wellington to West Point when it encountered adverse conditions and sank approximately 4 miles west-northwest of Salmon Point in Lake Ontario. The cause of the sinking is not detailed in the available records, but it is likely due to the rough waters and storms that frequently troubled the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition: #
The Florence Howard was lost to the depths of Lake Ontario, its wreck resting in the cold waters off Salmon Point. The schooner’s final journey was marked by the loss of its cargo of barley, but there are no reports of loss of life associated with the sinking. The wreck site has not been widely explored or documented, and the exact condition of the vessel remains unknown.
Current Condition & Accessibility: #
Given its age and the conditions of Lake Ontario, the Florence Howard likely remains as a submerged artifact, potentially broken up by the lake’s powerful currents and time. The site is not widely known or accessible, and no significant efforts have been made to salvage or study the wreck.
Resources & Links: #
Keywords: #
Schooner, Lake Ontario, Shipwreck, Salmon Point, Great Lakes, Maritime History, 19th Century Navigation, Cargo Ship, Barley Transport, Belleville, Wellington.
Analysis: #
The loss of the Florence Howard is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite repairs and careful management, the vessel succumbed to the same forces that claimed many other ships in the region. Its story reflects the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping, where economic necessity drove ships like the Florence Howard to brave the unpredictable waters, often with tragic results. The sinking of the schooner near Salmon Point adds another chapter to the rich and sometimes tragic maritime history of Lake Ontario.
