IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Cavalier was a robust three-masted schooner, initially constructed as a bark in Quebec City in 1867. The vessel’s wooden hull was designed for durability, and it served as a reliable carrier of cedar lumber across the Great Lakes. Over its years of service, the Cavalier transitioned from a bark to a schooner, adapting to the evolving needs of maritime trade on the Great Lakes.
HISTORY:
The Cavalier was built in 1867 in Quebec City as a bark, a type of vessel known for its combination of square and fore-and-aft sails. As the shipping industry on the Great Lakes evolved, the Cavalier was converted into a schooner to better serve the needs of its owners. By the time of its loss, the vessel was owned by Mrs. Annie Glass of Sarnia, Ontario, and was primarily engaged in transporting cedar lumber, a valuable commodity in the region.
On August 31, 1906, the Cavalier was sailing from Tobermory to Sarnia when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Huron. The treacherous weather conditions made navigation perilous, and in an attempt to reach the safety of a harbor, the Cavalier struck a reef off Chantry Island. The impact caused the vessel to take on water rapidly, leading to its eventual sinking.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
Despite the harrowing conditions, the crew, led by Captain Joseph Glass, managed to survive the night by clinging to the wreck. At dawn, they were rescued by Captain Lambert, the lightkeeper on Chantry Island, marking a fortunate end to what could have been a deadly disaster.
However, the Cavalier itself was not as fortunate. The storm’s relentless force and the vessel’s vulnerable position on the reef caused it to break apart. Declared a total loss, the ship was left to the mercy of Lake Huron’s waves. Only a portion of the cedar cargo was salvaged, contingent on the weather conditions improving.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
- Current Notices: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the Cavalier wreck site. Divers and researchers should consult with local maritime authorities before planning any explorations near Chantry Island.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
- Discovery: The wreck of the Cavalier has not been definitively located or documented. The remains are likely scattered in shallow waters near Chantry Island, a testament to the vessel’s tragic end in the 1906 storm.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
KEYWORDS:
Cavalier, Schooner, Bark, Lake Huron, Chantry Island, Shipwreck, Maritime History, Great Lakes.
CONCLUSION:
The wreck of the schooner Cavalier is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by vessels on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather could turn routine voyages into tragic events. The story of the Cavalier, from its origins as a bark to its conversion into a schooner, and its eventual loss in a violent storm, highlights the constant struggle between man and nature. While the ship was lost to the elements, the survival of its crew and the rescue by Captain Lambert serve as enduring symbols of hope and bravery amidst the perilous waters of Lake Huron.
