THREE FRIENDS (1864)

3 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Name: Three Friends
Type: Schooner
Built: 1864, Port Dover, Ontario
Owner: Mrs. Malone, Oswego, New York
Final Resting Place: Near Duffin’s Creek, Lake Ontario
Last Voyage: Departed from Oswego, New York, carrying coal

#

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Three Friends was a schooner built in 1864 in Port Dover, Ontario. Schooners like the Three Friends were widely used during the 19th century for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel was engaged in trade on Lake Ontario and was well-known for its service in the region.

HISTORY #

On a fateful Friday morning (exact date unspecified), the Three Friends departed from Oswego, New York, carrying a load of coal consigned to James Myles of Toronto. The cargo had been shipped by E. M. Fort of Oswego, though Myles later stated he had no knowledge of the shipment and did not bear any risk for the cargo.

The schooner set sail with a southerly wind of about three miles per hour, but as the vessel sailed west, the wind shifted to the east, creating difficulties in navigation. The weather worsened, with heavy seas and a strong northeast wind making it impossible to steer the vessel in the desired direction. Despite the crew’s best efforts to adjust the sails and maintain control, the ship began to list and settle.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

Realizing the severity of the situation, Captain Malone prepared the yawl (a small boat) for launching. He went to the cabin to retrieve his wife, carrying her to the boat, and the crew members followed. As they attempted to escape the sinking schooner, the mainmast and topmast collapsed, nearly capsizing the yawl. After a struggle to free the boat from the debris, they found themselves adrift with only one oar, facing heavy seas and strong winds.

For over thirty hours, the crew battled the elements in the small boat. The mate, Joseph Lennox, took the lead in steering the boat, while Captain Malone cared for his wife, who was only dressed in her night clothes. Despite the harrowing conditions, they managed to keep the boat afloat, although some of the crew members nearly gave up in despair during the ordeal.

Finally, around 5 o’clock on Saturday morning, the boat drifted ashore at Sparks Point, approximately six miles west of Whitby, Ontario. Exhausted and numb from the cold, the crew was found by Mr. Thomas Field, who provided assistance and helped them recover. Mrs. Malone and one crew member required further medical attention due to their weakened state.

The Three Friends was owned by Mrs. Malone of Oswego and was insured for $5,500, classified as B I. The schooner was a well-known vessel in the Lake Ontario trade, and its loss was a significant event for those connected with the ship and its crew.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

There is no specific modern record of the wreck’s discovery or identification, so no individuals or dates are associated with locating the remains of the Three Friends.