CLARA HILL U125753

The schooner Clara Hill, with an official number of 125753, was a wooden vessel built in 1879 at Fairhaven, NY. Originally a yacht, it was converted and relaunched in that year. The specifications of the Clara Hill were recorded as 45 feet in length, 12 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 16 and a net tonnage of 15.

Tragically, the Clara Hill met its fate on November 30, 1883, off the Big Sandy lifesaving station on Lake Ontario. The vessel was lost due to a storm. Thankfully, there was no loss of life among the two individuals on board. At the time of the incident, the schooner was carrying a cargo of coal and salt and was bound for Oswego, NY.

The details of the loss reveal that the Clara Hill attempted to seek shelter from the gale by coming into Big Sandy Creek. However, the vessel was heavily iced and struck bottom, causing it to drift towards the beach. Shortly before the schooner rolled over and broke apart, the crew was rescued by the United States Lifesaving Service. Captain F. J. Rose was the master of the vessel, which hailed from Fairhaven, NY.

A report from the Marine Record on December 6, 1883, provides additional information about the wreck. Captain Rose stated that the weather conditions were severe, with thick fog, snow squalls, and a heavy sea. These unfavorable conditions led him to run for the harbor but, failing to reach it, the schooner went aground. The Clara Hill was deemed a total loss, with an estimated value of $1,000 and no insurance coverage.

The final location of the wreck was off the Big Sandy Lifesaving Station in Lake Ontario. The Clara Hill’s loss serves as a reminder of the challenging and perilous nature of maritime navigation, particularly in the face of storms and icy conditions.