JOHN WILLIAM

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The schooner WILLIAM JOHN, built in 1844 in Dexter, New York, by William Quick, had a long and eventful history on the Great Lakes. This article explores the life and fate of this vessel, which experienced both moments of triumph and tragic losses during its years of service.

The WILLIAM JOHN was a two-masted schooner with a tonnage of 72 according to the old style measurement. It was constructed by William Quick himself, who also became its original owner, with the vessel’s home port being Dexter, New York.

Over the years, the ownership of the schooner changed hands multiple times. In 1854, it was owned in Oswego, New York, and had an incident when it went ashore in Port Colbourne, Ontario, while carrying a load of lumber. In 1865, significant repairs were carried out, totaling 60 tons. Later, in 1866, ownership transferred to John Quick in Montreal, Quebec.

The vessel faced another challenge in 1870 when it wrecked in Kingston, Ontario, while carrying 4,000 bushels of wheat. However, it was successfully raised and taken under the ownership of James Wilson of Kingston in November of the same year.

Despite these incidents, the WILLIAM JOHN continued its operations. However, its final voyage would be a tragic one. In November 1872, the schooner was on its way from Trenton, Ontario, to Oswego, New York, carrying a cargo of peas. Approximately ten miles north of Oswego, disaster struck when the vessel began taking on water rapidly. The crew worked tirelessly for nearly four hours to pump out the water, but their efforts were in vain.

Captain James Savage, the owner of the WILLIAM JOHN, made the difficult decision to abandon ship, and the crew lowered the yawl. Thankfully, they were rescued by the schooner CENTURION just in time. As they looked back, they witnessed their beloved schooner, which had served them for many years, lurch heavily and sink headfirst, disappearing beneath the waves of Lake Ontario.

The WILLIAM JOHN had a long and storied history, facing its share of challenges and triumphs. While its final voyage ended tragically, the crew was saved, and the vessel left a lasting mark on the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

This tale serves as a reminder of the courage and resilience of sailors who faced the unpredictable and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes, where vessels like the WILLIAM JOHN sailed for generations.