PATRICIA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

• Vessel Name: Patricia
• Vessel Type: P-Class Sloop
• Designed By: George Owen
• Launched: 1912
• Owned By: Thomas K. Wade, Past Commodore of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC)
• Location of Sinking: Lake Ontario
• Date of Sinking: June 27, 1965

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Patricia was a P-Class Sloop, a type of racing yacht that was popular in the early 20th century. Designed by George Owen, Patricia featured elegant lines and was built for speed and performance in competitive sailing. P-Class sloops were known for their fine craftsmanship, and Patricia was a prime example of this class, serving her owner and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club with distinction for many years.

HISTORY #

Patricia was owned by Thomas K. Wade, a respected member and Past Commodore of the RCYC. Wade, who had been a member of the RCYC since 1902, commissioned the design and construction of Patricia, which was launched in 1912. Patricia served as a symbol of Wade’s dedication to yachting and the RCYC.

Following Wade’s sudden passing on January 20, 1965, his beneficiaries decided to dismantle Patricia and sink her in Lake Ontario, creating the “Patricia Memorial Fund” to honor his memory. The masts and gear of Patricia were removed on June 25, 1965, and given to the STV Pathfinder, where they continued to serve until 1977.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

On Sunday, June 27, 1965, Patricia was towed out into Lake Ontario for a solemn ceremony in her honor. Ben Colenbrander and Gordon Nortone were on board to open her seacocks, allowing the water to flood in and gently sink the vessel. The ceremony was officiated by Cannon Guy Marshall, the captain of the Mission to the Seaman for the Port of Toronto. Commodore Paul Phelan honored the memory of Thomas K. Wade and Patricia during the RCYC Sailpast event, where Patricia was saluted as a final farewell. The sinking of Patricia was a tribute to Wade’s contribution to the club and his love for sailing.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact location of where Patricia was sunk in Lake Ontario is not widely documented, but it was part of a planned and ceremonial sinking conducted by the RCYC.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given that Patricia was ceremonially sunk in 1965, and the event was conducted with respect, the wreck likely remains undisturbed at the bottom of Lake Ontario. The site may be of interest to divers, although it would require specific knowledge of the sinking location to explore.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

1. Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC)

   • Information on the history of RCYC and its members, including details about Thomas K. Wade and Patricia.
   • RCYC Website

2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

   • Database with extensive information on shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes.
   • Maritime History of the Great Lakes

3. Wrecksite EU

   • A resource for shipwreck data worldwide, including ceremonial sinkings like that of Patricia.
   • Wrecksite EU