The ADVANCE, a schooner constructed in 1856, holds a place in maritime history with its eventful journey on the waters of Lake Ontario. This wooden-hulled vessel, built in Dexter, New York, featured a single deck and two masts. Its official number was 105051, and it had a tonnage of 74, following the old measurement system.
The early years of the ADVANCE were marked by incidents that tested its resilience. In September 1857, the schooner encountered a devastating blow when it was holed and sunk, carrying a cargo of coal, after striking rocks near Alexandria Bay in the St. Lawrence River. However, the vessel’s spirit endured, and it was eventually refloated and repaired.
Ownership of the ADVANCE changed hands over the years, with various individuals taking charge of the vessel. In 1863, it was owned by Smith of Port Colborne, Ontario, and later by J. B. Devoe, also from Port Colborne, in 1866. Subsequently, ownership passed to J. Carr of Port Colborne in 1869, and then to J. Kerr of Belleville, Ontario, after a partial rebuilding in 1869-1870.
Despite these efforts to keep the ADVANCE afloat, the vessel encountered further misfortune. In October 1870, it ran aground in Oswego, New York, on Lake Ontario and was reported as abandoned. Later that month, the wreck was sold to farmers from the vicinity of Texas, New York.
The final chapter of the ADVANCE’s story unfolded in 1873 when it met its tragic end on Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, detailed records of the wreck are scarce, and the exact circumstances leading to its demise remain unknown.
1882, Mar 8 Registration closed.
