The schooner CENTURION, with dimensions of 79 feet in length, 19 feet in beam, and 7 feet in depth, was built in 1863 by L. Stevens in Presque Isle. Originally registered in Brighton, Ontario, the CENTURION had a net tonnage of 87. It had a single deck and was powered by sail with two masts.
In September 1874, the CENTURION encountered a casualty near Amherst Island. While ashore, it lost 20,000 feet of lumber, resulting in property losses of $1,600 for the hull and $3,000 for the cargo. However, the details surrounding this incident are not provided.
Later that year, on December 25th, the CENTURION suffered a more significant misfortune. It sank off False Duck Island in Lake Ontario while carrying a cargo of iron ore. Fortunately, the crew members were able to escape and were saved. The vessel itself was reported as a total loss. The crew had to endure challenging conditions in an open boat for about six hours before being rescued and brought to Kingston.
Throughout its history, the ownership of the CENTURION changed hands. It was originally owned by E. George of Presque Isle, Ontario. In 1871, the vessel was remeasured and its gross tonnage was recorded as 105. The final fate of the CENTURION occurred on October 9, 1874, when it wrecked off False Duck Islands, Lake Ontario.
These details about the CENTURION are sourced from various documents and databases, including the Donald V. Baut Detroit & St. Clair River Towing Association, the Canadian Sessional Papers, and the C. Patrick Labadie collection.
