Frolic

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Frolic
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: Not specified (likely mid-19th century)
• Builder: Not specified
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Registered Tonnage: Not located in available records
• Location: Near Flowerpot Island, Ontario
• Official Number: Not located in available records
• Original Owners: Not specified
• Number of Masts: Two or three masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Frolic was a schooner, a common type of two- or three-masted sailing vessel used extensively throughout the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting cargo and occasionally passengers.

Description

The Frolic was a typical schooner of the Great Lakes fleet, likely constructed of wood and rigged for efficient sailing in the often unpredictable conditions of inland waters. Schooners were favoured for their shallow draft and maneuverability, especially in coastal and island-dense regions such as Georgian Bay.

History

In 1872, the Frolic foundered near Flowerpot Island in Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron. While specific details of her voyage and cargo remain unclear, the vessel was likely engaged in regional trade or transport. The waters surrounding Flowerpot Island are known for their submerged hazards and sudden weather changes, which have contributed to numerous shipwrecks in the area. The Frolic‘s loss adds to the long list of 19th-century schooners that succumbed to the perils of the Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

• The Frolic sank in 1872 near Flowerpot Island, Ontario.
• No salvage or recovery efforts are recorded, and the vessel was considered a total loss.

Final Disposition

The Frolic sank in 1872 near Flowerpot Island, Ontario. No salvage or recovery efforts are recorded, and the vessel was considered a total loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no confirmed records indicating that the wreck of the Frolic has been located or surveyed. However, the waters around Flowerpot Island are part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park, which contains many known and accessible shipwrecks. It is possible that remains of the Frolic may be among the undocumented or misidentified wrecks in the area.

Resources & Links

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The Frolic represents one of the many schooners lost during the height of Great Lakes commerce in the 19th century. Her sinking near Flowerpot Island underscores the navigational challenges of Georgian Bay and the historical significance of this region as a maritime corridor. While the wreck has not been positively identified, it remains a candidate for future underwater archaeological discovery within the Fathom Five National Marine Park.