A Canal Boat’s Watery Demise
In the annals of maritime history, stories of vessels lost at sea often captivate our imaginations. However, the fate of inland waterway vessels should not be overlooked. The Carrie and Cora, a canal boat that sailed the waters of Lake Ontario, met a tragic end on November 10, 1882. In this blog post, we delve into the details surrounding the construction, final journey, and untimely demise of the Carrie and Cora.
The Carrie and Cora was built in 1872 in North Bay, New York. This wooden canal boat, with a gross tonnage of 115 tons, found its home port in Oswego, New York. Designed to navigate the canal systems, it primarily transported various goods and commodities along the waterways.
On that fateful November day in 1882, the Carrie and Cora embarked on its last journey. The canal boat was in tow of the tug M. J. Cummings, navigating the waters of Lake Ontario. Its cargo consisted of barrelled apples, onions, and potatoes, likely destined for various ports along the lake’s shoreline.
Unfortunately, the elements had other plans for the Carrie and Cora. Caught in the midst of a powerful storm, the canal boat foundered near Point Petre, Ontario. The unforgiving waves and winds proved too much for the vessel to withstand, leading to its tragic demise. It is believed that all aboard the Carrie and Cora perished in the storm, although the exact number of lives lost remains unknown.
In the wake of the sinking, fragments of the Carrie and Cora’s cargo, hull, and cabin washed up on the local beaches. Over 350 barrels of apples alone were found on Lake Ontario’s Long Point, serving as a somber reminder of the vessel’s final journey. The loss of the Carrie and Cora highlighted the dangers that canal boats faced when venturing onto open waters during storms, underscoring the challenges of navigating inland vessels in unpredictable conditions.
The Carrie and Cora, a canal boat that once sailed the calm waters of the Great Lakes, met a tragic end on November 10, 1882. The stormy waves of Lake Ontario claimed the vessel, its crew, and its valuable cargo of barrelled apples, onions, and potatoes. The sinking of the Carrie and Cora serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by inland waterway vessels, emphasizing the bravery and resilience of the sailors who navigated these treacherous waters.
Carrie and Cora Hinckley, aged 19 and 16 years, daughters of Lieut. Col. J. D. Hinckley, deputy warden, of the State Prison, were drowned while bathing in the Michigan Center mill-pond, Jackson Co., Tuesday afternoon. Their bodies were recovered in 10 feet of water ? feet from shore, one by Mr. Osborne, keeper of the prison insane asylum, and the other by John O’Hern, the pedestrian. Col. Hinckley’s entire family of nine persons and a number of acquaintances were enjoying a picnic, and the girls with Charles Hinckley, their brother, went bathing and got out of their depth. Charles was rescued by his father and John O’Hern, but the girls did not rise after they sunk, the bottom being full of sticks and weeds, to which they clung.
Fowlerville Review 18 July 1879
