The Clara White was a schooner that was built in 1871 at Dog Lake in Storrington, Ontario, by Christopher Harris. The vessel had a length of 78.7 feet, a beam of 18.5 feet, and a depth of 6.3 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 82 tons and a net tonnage of 62 tons. Clara White was initially owned by Christopher Harris and later changed hands multiple times.
On November 28, 1889, while anchored at Grenadier Island in the St. Lawrence River, the Clara White caught fire and was completely destroyed. The crew managed to escape, with only the cook suffering minor injuries. The schooner, valued at $1,600, was insured for $1,000. This incident marked the end of the Clara White’s existence.
Prior to the fire, the Clara White had experienced other notable events. In 1886, it ran aground at Indian Point in Quinte Bay while en route from Oswego to Kingston. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, and the vessel was successfully refloated. In 1882, the Clara White underwent major repairs, and in 1888, it was rebuilt.
Throughout its history, the Clara White had various owners, including Alfred Eccles, Samuel Cardwell, John Shannon, Patrick McAuley, William Newman, and James Reid. Its final registered owners were Captain Bebiah Major and William Newman & James Reid in April 1887.
The Clara White’s register was canceled in December 1889 following its destruction by fire at Grenadier Island. The schooner’s legacy includes its years of service as a schooner, its transfers of ownership, and the unfortunate events that led to its ultimate demise.
