IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Cameronian was a wooden schooner built in the mid-19th century, designed primarily for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Like many schooners of its time, it was built for resilience and efficiency, navigating the often unpredictable and harsh conditions of Lake Huron.
HISTORY:
The Cameronian was launched in 1863, constructed by A.A. Hackett in Baie de Dore, Ontario. Owned by Laughlin Cameron, the vessel was a typical wooden schooner of its era, serving as a workhorse on the Great Lakes, transporting goods and materials between ports.
On April 15, 1865, the Cameronian met with disaster as it sailed near Point Clark, south of Southampton, Ontario. The schooner encountered a severe snowstorm, a not uncommon event on the Great Lakes, especially during the transitional seasons. The storm proved too powerful for the Cameronian to navigate, and the vessel was driven ashore by the relentless winds and waves.
As the snowstorm raged, the Cameronian’s wooden hull was pounded against the rocks, unable to withstand the brutal force of nature. The ship was declared a total loss, its structure severely damaged beyond repair.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
Following the storm, the Cameronian was stripped of its rigging, leaving behind a skeletal hull on the shore of Lake Huron. The vessel, abandoned and forgotten, gradually deteriorated, becoming a ghostly reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Cameronian wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The exact location of the wreck has not been well documented, and it remains an elusive site in the annals of Lake Huron shipwrecks.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
KEYWORDS:
Cameronian, Point Clark, Lake Huron, Great Lakes shipwreck, snowstorm, wooden schooner, maritime history.
CONCLUSION:
The Cameronian’s demise serves as a stark reminder of the perilous nature of sailing the Great Lakes, particularly during unpredictable weather conditions. While the vessel was lost to the elements, its story endures, highlighting the relentless forces of nature that continue to challenge those who navigate these vast inland waters. The tale of the Cameronian is a tribute to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and a cautionary tale for those who brave the waters today.
