AGNES HOPE C71168

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Identification & Site Information #

Name: AGNES HOPE
Type: Wooden Schooner
Year Built: 1869
Builder: A. Robertson, Hamilton, Ontario
Dimensions: Length: 120 feet (40 meters), Beam: 24 feet, Depth: 10 feet
Tonnage: 220 tons
Home Port: Port Hope, Ontario
Final Disposition: Wrecked on Ford Shoals, Lake Ontario, November 1884
Cause of Wreck: Severe storm, vessel became waterlogged and unmanageable
Coordinates: N43.4425656 W76.6041231
Depth at Wreck Site: 0 – 10 feet (0 – 3 meters)

Vessel Type Description #

The AGNES HOPE was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was widely used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Built in 1869, this schooner measured 120 feet in length, making it a substantial vessel for its time. With a beam of 24 feet and a depth of 10 feet, the AGNES HOPE was capable of carrying heavy cargo, primarily lumber, which was a common commodity transported across the Great Lakes. The schooner was registered out of Port Hope, Ontario, and owned by Clark, with Captain Savage at the helm.

History #

The AGNES HOPE was constructed by shipbuilder A. Robertson in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1869. Designed to transport lumber, the schooner quickly became a vital link in the supply chain that connected various communities along the shores of Lake Ontario. Under the ownership of Clark and commanded by Captain Savage, the vessel made numerous voyages, hauling lumber between ports, and contributing to the economic growth of the region.

On what would become its final voyage, the AGNES HOPE set sail from Belleville, Ontario, bound for Oswego, New York, with a full deckload of green lumber. However, as the ship neared Ford Shoals, close to Oswego, a severe storm struck Lake Ontario. The storm’s relentless waves battered the schooner, and the heavy load of green lumber became waterlogged, making the vessel unmanageable.

Despite the crew’s efforts to save the ship, the AGNES HOPE was no match for the storm. The vessel broke up and became stranded on Ford Shoals. The situation was dire as the schooner began to roll over onto its side. In a desperate bid for survival, Captain Savage and his crew managed to lower the yawl-boat, which hung across the stern on davits. Fearing the imminent sinking of the vessel, the captain ordered everyone into the small boat.

As they abandoned ship, the passing schooner Jessie McDonald provided a lifeline. A line was thrown from the Jessie McDonald, and one of the AGNES HOPE’s crew members, William McCrimmon, caught it on his oar, ensuring their safe passage to the other vessel.

Final Disposition #

The AGNES HOPE, with its lumber cargo and remaining buoyancy, eventually washed ashore on Ford Shoals, becoming what is known as a half-tide rock. The pounding waves disintegrated the ship, scattering its ribs, planks, and cargo along the shores of Oswego County. The schooner, which had served faithfully for fifteen years, met a tragic and premature end. The wreck now lies in shallow waters, with debris scattered across the shoals, a testament to the power of the Great Lakes and the perilous life of sailors during that era.

Legacy and Aftermath #

The crew of the AGNES HOPE, including young Will Savage, showed remarkable courage during the shipwreck. Will Savage, who played a crucial role in the survival of his fellow sailors, went on to become a seasoned sailor himself, eventually serving as mate on various vessels, including the William Elgin. The legacy of the AGNES HOPE lives on through the stories of her crew and the lessons learned from her tragic demise.