- Schooner
- Lake Ontario
The Henry Doville, a Canadian schooner, met its tragic fate on Lake Ontario in November 1855. The vessel was on a journey from Toronto to Oswego, New York, carrying a cargo of wheat. The exact cause of the sinking remains uncertain, but it is believed that the ship encountered adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy seas, which ultimately led to its capsizing and sinking.
Regrettably, all of the crew members on board the Henry Doville, under the command of Captain John Stevens, perished in the incident. The ship’s sinking marked a devastating loss of life and a significant tragedy on Lake Ontario.
According to the David Swayze Shipwreck File, the Henry Doville was also known by other names such as H. Dovell and Doveil. It was a wooden schooner built in 1844 by H. Doville in Big Sodus, NY. The vessel had a tonnage of 67.
The unfortunate event took place on October 18, 1855, off Oak Orchard, NY, in Lake Ontario. The ship fell victim to a violent storm, highlighting the treacherous nature of the lake. However, despite the loss of the crew members’ lives, there were no recorded fatalities among them.
Prior to the sinking, the Henry Doville began to experience leakage while en route from the Welland Canal to Oswego. The crew made valiant efforts to keep the vessel afloat, but the situation became untenable. Ultimately, they were forced to abandon ship, and the Henry Doville succumbed to the deep waters of Lake Ontario.
The schooner was owned by Wm Hunter & Co. of Sodus, NY, with its homeport situated in Oswego. The ship’s cargo, consisting of approximately 4,000 bushels of wheat, tragically never reached its intended destination. The sinking of the Henry Doville stands as a somber reminder of the risks and challenges faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Ontario during stormy conditions.
