Other Names
- Sybella
- .Rachael (built from)
– **Vessel Name:** Two Brothers (Also known as Sybella)
– **Year of Build:** 1856
– **Built At:** Sorel, Quebec
– **Vessel Type:** Schooner
– **Hull Materials:** Wood
– **Number of Decks:** 1
– **Builder Name:** D. McCarthy & Co.
– **Number of Masts:** 2
– **Tonnage (Old Style):** 165 tons
1. **1860:** The schooner was initially owned by Jacob Savage & Co., based in Sorel, Quebec. During this period, the vessel primarily engaged in trade and transport along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
2. **1863:** Ownership transitioned to Glassford, Jones & Co. in Montreal, Quebec. This era marked significant maintenance work, as the vessel underwent large repairs to maintain its seaworthiness.
3. **1869:** The schooner was rebuilt by David Tait in Colborne, Ontario, and subsequently renamed Sybella. This reconstruction increased the vessel’s tonnage to 172 gross tons. That same year, it came under the ownership of Roberts in Montreal.
– **November 7, 1882:** The schooner Sybella, formerly known as Two Brothers, went ashore in the Upper Gap in 1878. By 1882, reports indicated that the vessel was breaking apart, marking the beginning of the end for this historic schooner.
– **1865:** While known as Sybella, the vessel was towed into port after running ashore at Wellington. This incident was one of several that punctuated its operational life.
The schooner Two Brothers, later renamed Sybella, experienced numerous ownership changes, significant rebuilds, and a series of maritime mishaps. These cumulative events eventually led to the vessel being lost or destroyed. Throughout its life, the schooner underwent several transformations, both in structure and ownership, reflecting the economic and operational challenges of the time. Vessel was recovered but buried in land reclaimation in the 1920s, Port Hope, ON
– The vessel has been identified under various names, including Rachael, Two Brothers, and Sybella. Each name change was often accompanied by substantial repairs or rebuilds, indicating the vessel’s ability to adapt and continue service despite adversities.
– Initially registered as “Rachael,” the vessel was built as a brigantine and evolved through different forms and functions, serving various owners and purposes.
Register Information
- First Time Registered: Kingston, 1863
- Length: 101 feet 6/10th
- Breadth:** 18 feet 5/10th
- Depth of Hold:** 7 feet 7/10th
- Figure-Head:** Scroll Figure-Head
The schooner “Two Brothers”/”Sybella” serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of 19th-century maritime vessels, illustrating the rich history of shipbuilding and navigation on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
References and Links
- Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library
- the Port Hope Archives
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Daily News (Kingston, ON), July 15, 1873
- J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, No. 2, November, 1882
The information provided here summarizes the vessel’s construction, ownership changes, notable incidents, and final disposition, painting a picture of the schooner’s varied and eventful maritime history.
