Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

H.B. Bishop (Henry C. Bishop)

Explore the wreck of the H.B. Bishop, a schooner that met its fate in Nottawasaga Harbor in 1852, highlighting early Great Lakes navigation challenges.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H.B. Bishop (Henry C. Bishop)
  • Type: Schooner (described as a brig in some records)
  • Year Built: 1847
  • Builder: G. W. Jones & Co., Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: Length 121.1 ft (36.9 m); Beam 24.1 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold 9.5 ft (2.9 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 264 (old style)
  • Location: Nottawasaga Harbor, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Original Owners: G. W. Walbridge and Captain Trowbridge (original); Oliver Bugbee (later owner, 1852)
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The H.B. Bishop is classified as a schooner, although some records refer to it as a brig. This distinction may arise from variations in rigging and design typical of the era.

Description

The H.B. Bishop was a cargo vessel primarily engaged in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. It was launched in 1847 and was enrolled in Buffalo, New York, until its loss in 1852.

History

The schooner H.B. Bishop was launched in 1847 and served primarily as a cargo vessel, transporting goods across the Great Lakes. It was enrolled in Buffalo, New York, from 1847 until its loss in 1852.

On September 26, 1851, the H.B. Bishop suffered damage to its rigging when the brig Belle collided with it while entering port, a mishap reported in the Morning Express of Buffalo.

The H.B. Bishop was chartered in 1852 to test the navigability of Nottawasaga Harbor for larger schooners, carrying grain and lumber as its cargo. The goal was to demonstrate the harbor’s suitability as a terminal for the Ontario Simcoe and Huron Railway.

Significant Incidents

  • September 26, 1851: The H.B. Bishop suffered rigging damage due to a collision with the brig Belle.

Final Disposition

On October 25, 1852, the H.B. Bishop encountered a storm and was driven over a bar into shallow water, becoming stranded and ultimately wrecked. The schooner was carrying grain and lumber, and the total loss was estimated at $8,000.

The wreck played a pivotal role in the rivalry between Nottawasaga and Collingwood for the railway terminus. The incident highlighted the shallow and treacherous conditions of Nottawasaga Harbor, leading to Collingwood being chosen as the railway’s terminus instead.

The remains of the H.B. Bishop were visible on the beach for over a century, with its oak ribs embedded in the sand serving as a reminder of its fate.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: The remains of the wreck are mostly buried in sand. Over time, the upper structure deteriorated, but oak ribs remained visible for many years.

Accessibility: While much of the wreck is buried, remnants may still exist and could be of interest to maritime archaeologists or historians.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-b-bishop-henry-c-bishop” title=”References & Links”]

The H.B. Bishop’s story intertwines maritime tragedy with regional progress, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of the Great Lakes.

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: H.B. Bishop (also known as Henry C. Bishop)
  • Type: Schooner (described as a brig in some records)
  • Location: Nottawasaga Harbor, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
  • Date of Incident: October 25, 1852
  • Cargo: Grain and lumber
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Year Built: 1847
  • Builder: G. W. Jones & Co., Cleveland, Ohio
  • Master Carpenter: Jacob Banta
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 121.1 feet (36.9 meters)
    • Beam: 24.1 feet (7.3 meters)
    • Depth: 9.5 feet (2.9 meters)
    • Tonnage: 264 (old style)
  • Masts: Two
  • Original Owners: G. W. Walbridge and Captain Trowbridge (both from Cleveland)
  • Later Owner: Oliver Bugbee (Buffalo, New York), 1852

HISTORY

The schooner H.B. Bishop was launched in 1847 and served primarily as a cargo vessel, transporting goods across the Great Lakes. It was enrolled in Buffalo, New York, from 1847 until its loss in 1852.

On September 26, 1851, the H.B. Bishop suffered damage to its rigging when the brig Belle collided with it while entering port, a mishap reported in the Morning Express of Buffalo.

The H.B. Bishop was chartered in 1852 to test the navigability of Nottawasaga Harbor for larger schooners, carrying grain and lumber as its cargo. The goal was to demonstrate the harbor’s suitability as a terminal for the Ontario Simcoe and Huron Railway.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On October 25, 1852, the H.B. Bishop encountered a storm and was driven over a bar into shallow water, becoming stranded and ultimately wrecked. The schooner was carrying grain and lumber, and the total loss was estimated at $8,000.

The wreck played a pivotal role in the rivalry between Nottawasaga and Collingwood for the railway terminus. The incident highlighted the shallow and treacherous conditions of Nottawasaga Harbor, leading to Collingwood being chosen as the railway’s terminus instead.

The remains of the H.B. Bishop were visible on the beach for over a century, with its oak ribs embedded in the sand serving as a reminder of its fate.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Condition: The remains of the wreck are mostly buried in sand. Over time, the upper structure deteriorated, but oak ribs remained visible for many years.

Accessibility: While much of the wreck is buried, remnants may still exist and could be of interest to maritime archaeologists or historians.

SIGNIFICANCE

The wreck of the H.B. Bishop is historically significant for its role in shaping the development of Wasaga Beach and Collingwood. It stands as a testament to the challenges of early Great Lakes navigation and the strategic importance of port selection in regional development.

RESOURCES & LINKS

The H.B. Bishop‘s story intertwines maritime tragedy with regional progress, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of the Great Lakes.

The H. B. Bishop, also known as Henry C. Bishop, was a schooner (also described as a brig in 1848) built in 1847 in Cleveland, Ohio, by G. W. Jones & Co. The master carpenter responsible for its construction was Jacob Banta. The original owners of the vessel were G. W. Walbridge and Captain Trowbridge, both from Cleveland. h-b-bishop-henry-c-bishop 1852-10-25 07:48:00