Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Belle McPhee
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1850
- Builder: A. McPhee, Owen Sound, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 114 ft (34.7 m); Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m); Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 121 tons
- Location: Near Thornbury, Ontario, west of Collingwood
- Official Number: C71182
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Three-masted wooden schooner (Skinner Auctioneers)
Description
The Belle McPhee was a three-masted wooden schooner constructed in 1850 by A. McPhee in Owen Sound, Ontario. Measuring 114 feet (34.7 meters) in length with a beam of 21 feet (6.4 meters) and a depth of 8 feet (2.4 meters), she had a gross tonnage of 121 tons. Designed for cargo transport, she was a typical example of mid-19th-century Great Lakes schooners. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
Built in 1850, the Belle McPhee served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, primarily transporting goods such as wheat. On May 7, 1876, while carrying 10,000 bushels of wheat, she encountered ice near Thornbury, Ontario, west of Collingwood. The ice caused significant damage, leading to her being declared a total loss. However, she was later recovered and repurposed. In 1956, the vessel was sunk to serve as a breakwater and was eventually scrapped in 1962. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Significant Incidents
- May 7, 1876: The Belle McPhee was declared a total loss due to ice damage while carrying a cargo of wheat.
Final Disposition
After being declared a total loss due to ice damage in 1876, the Belle McPhee was recovered and repurposed. In 1956, she was intentionally sunk to function as a breakwater, a common practice for decommissioned vessels. She remained in this role until 1962, when she was scrapped. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no specific information available regarding the rediscovery or current location of the Belle McPhee’s wreck.
No navigational warnings or advisories are currently associated with the Belle McPhee wreck site.
Resources & Links
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The Belle McPhee serves as a historical example of the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners on the Great Lakes. Her service life, loss due to ice, and subsequent use as a breakwater reflect the practices and maritime history of the region.
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