IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: The SIMCOE, later known as NORTH and finally renamed MARY WARD, was a wooden propeller steamer built in Montreal in 1864. Initially rated A in 1864 and later upgraded to A1, the vessel was constructed with a round stern and equipped with a single mast. It was a sturdy vessel designed for cargo transport, initially with a capacity of 15,000 bushels, which was later increased to 25,000 bushels. Over the years, the vessel underwent several rebuilds and name changes, reflecting its varied service life on the Great Lakes.
HISTORY: The SIMCOE was launched in Montreal in 1864 and soon after began operating on the Montreal-Chicago route. The vessel was associated with the McLennan brothers and was one of four ships (alongside EAST, SOUTH, and WEST) built as British-registered blockade runners for the Confederate States during the American Civil War. Between 1865 and 1866, it was chartered to Glassford & Jones, a forwarding company based in Kingston, Ontario.
Throughout its operational years, the vessel experienced numerous incidents. On May 22, 1865, the SIMCOE ran aground on Mohawk Reef near Racine, Wisconsin, damaging its rudder while carrying a cargo of bagged flour. The ship faced similar troubles in May 1866, running aground again in Racine and sustaining $2,000 worth of damage. A more serious incident occurred on November 8, 1868, when the ship burned and sank in 20 feet of water at Baby Point in the St. Clair River near Sarnia, Ontario.
The McLennan brothers eventually sold the wrecked vessel, and it was raised and rebuilt by J.E. Wood in Wallaceburg, Ontario, between 1869 and 1870. Renamed MARY WARD and owned by Mackenzie of Sarnia, the ship continued to encounter difficulties. In July 1870, the vessel was holed and stranded in the Lachine Canal for ten days. Despite these setbacks, the ship was eventually acquired by Forhan et al. of Owen Sound, Ontario, by 1872.
FINAL DISPOSITION: The final chapter in the ship’s history occurred on November 24, 1872. While en route from Owen Sound to Collingwood, Ontario, the MARY WARD was wrecked on Nottawasaga Island Reef in Georgian Bay during a storm. Tragically, eight lives were lost in the disaster. The vessel’s registry was officially closed on January 3, 1878. It appears that the ownership was never formally transferred from the McLennan brothers to the Montreal Transportation Co., even after its many years of service and multiple incidents.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories directly associated with the wreck of the MARY WARD. However, as with any wreck site, caution is advised when diving, particularly due to the age of the wreck and potential hazards from remaining structures.
LOCATED BY & DATE: The exact location of the wreck on Nottawasaga Island Reef is near Collingwood, Ontario, but specific coordinates are not provided in historical records.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: The wreck of the MARY WARD remains a historic site near Nottawasaga Island Reef in Georgian Bay. Given the vessel’s age and the circumstances of its sinking, the site may offer limited but intriguing opportunities for exploration by experienced divers. The depth and condition of the wreck are not specified, suggesting the site may require careful navigation.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Historic Vessels of the Great Lakes
- Canadian Shipwrecks and Maritime Disasters
- Great Lakes Maritime History
KEYWORDS: SIMCOE, NORTH, MARY WARD, Wooden Propeller Steamer, Lake Huron, Nottawasaga Island Reef, Georgian Bay, Shipwreck, 1864, Great Lakes
CONCLUSION: The MARY WARD, originally launched as the SIMCOE and later known as the NORTH, is a testament to the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its history is marked by multiple rebuilds, ownership changes, and tragic incidents, culminating in its final wreck on Nottawasaga Island Reef in 1872. The vessel’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of maritime travel and the enduring legacy of those who sailed the Great Lakes. Today, the wreck of the MARY WARD rests in Georgian Bay, a silent witness to the trials and tribulations of its time
