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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”frolic” title=”References & Links”]
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.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: Frolic
- Former Names: None known
- Registration Number(s): Not located in available records
- Date Built and Launched: Not specified (likely mid-19th century)
- Measurements: Not specified
- Date Lost: 1872
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.
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.
Located By & Date Found
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.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific navigational obstructions or advisories related to the Frolic are noted. However, the area around Flowerpot Island is a protected marine park, and diving is regulated by Parks Canada.
Resources & Links
- Fathom Five National Marine Park – Parks Canada
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks – Georgian Bay Chapter
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks – Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
Conclusion
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.
Suggested Keywords and Categories
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- Georgian Bay Maritime History
- Frolic Schooner
- Flowerpot Island Shipwrecks
- 19th Century Lake Huron Disasters
Glossary Terms
- Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically fore-and-aft rigged, used extensively on the Great Lakes.
- Foundered: A maritime term indicating a vessel sank due to water ingress, often during storms or after striking submerged hazards.
- Fathom Five National Marine Park: Canada’s first national marine conservation area, home to over 20 historic shipwrecks in the waters off Tobermory and Flowerpot Island.