In the year 1882, amidst the bustling shipyards of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a magnificent schooner took shape. Crafted from wood by the skilled hands of Rand & Burger, under the supervision of master carpenter Greenleaf S. Rand, this vessel stood as a testament to fine craftsmanship and maritime engineering. Officially registered as vessel number 3193, it was a proud addition to the maritime landscape.
Originally owned by J. W. Barnes of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the schooner embarked on a journey that would span over four decades. With a length of 95.42 feet, a beam of 24.42 feet, and a depth of 7.25 feet, it boasted a gross tonnage of 134 and a net tonnage of 127. Equipped with two masts, it was a sight to behold as it gracefully sailed the open waters.
The vessel’s history is punctuated by a series of ownership changes and encounters with adversity. In 1895, near Jacksonport, Wisconsin, on the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, it encountered misfortune and found itself stranded. However, the resilient schooner persevered, and in 1896, it came under the ownership of Oliver Oberg, a resident of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. A few years later, in 1899, Thomas E. Torrison of Manitowoc took the helm, continuing the vessel’s seafaring legacy.
A pivotal moment in the schooner’s history occurred in 1904 when it was acquired by Graham Brothers of Kincardine, Ontario. Under Canadian registry with the number C150489, the vessel underwent a transformation, both in ownership and in its maritime duties. The addition of a third mast, though the exact date remains unknown, further enhanced its capabilities and versatility.
In 1924, the James Swift Coal Co of Kingston, Ontario, assumed ownership of the schooner. Laden with coal, it plied the waters, faithfully delivering its precious cargo. However, destiny had a different plan in store. On September 3, 1926, tragedy befell the schooner as it foundered in the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario near Braddocks Point, approximately 10 miles south of Long Point. The vessel met its watery grave, forever entwined with the depths of the lake.
As the schooner sank, it carried its final cargo of coal, symbolizing the end of a storied journey. Bound from Sodus Point, New York, to Picton, Ontario, it succumbed to the forces of nature, disappearing beneath the waves.
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