Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Parisian
- Type: Wooden commercial fishing vessel
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not documented
- Location: Near Goderich, Lake Huron
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Part of the Ontario-based Goderich fishing fleet
- Number of Masts: Not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden commercial fishing vessel
Description
The Parisian was likely a small, open-deck wooden fishing boat equipped with nets or lines, typical of the late-19th-century Lake Huron fleet. It operated seasonally from Goderich, Ontario, a major fisheries hub at the time.
History
The Parisian departed Goderich with the rest of the fishing fleet during the morning of April 9, 1890. Around noon, a severe northeasterly squall struck, bringing rough seas and high winds. The vessel foundered and sank along with others in the fleet; only the Huron survived the passage. The crew of three aboard the Parisian was presumed lost with the vessel, along with their fishing gear.
Significant Incidents
- Loss occurred on April 9, 1890, during a sudden storm near Goderich, Lake Huron.
- Three crew members were presumed lost with the vessel.
- Multiple vessels were lost during the same weather event, indicating a swift and violent storm.
Final Disposition
The Parisian remains largely undocumented beyond fleet loss records. Its disappearance highlights the dangers faced by small fishing craft in Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there are no specifications available regarding the wreck’s current condition or accessibility. A dive survey near Goderich could help locate the wreck and any remaining artifacts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”parisian-parisen-parisien” title=”References & Links”]
The Parisian represents a tragic case of rapid weather onset in Lake Huron’s April fishery. With three hands lost, and the vessel alongside several others, this event underscores the peril small fishing craft faced. Adequate archival research in Fisheries and provincial sources, coupled with a dive survey near Goderich, could illuminate her final resting place and salvage fragments of the fishing-era heritage.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Type: Wooden commercial fishing vessel
- Built: Unknown (no build records found)
- Official Number: Not documented
- Registry: Part of the Ontario–based Goderich fishing fleet
- Loss: April 9, 1890, near Goderich, Lake Huron during a sudden storm (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Bruce Museum, Facebook)
Final Voyage & Sinking
- Departed Goderich with the rest of the fishing fleet during the morning of April 9
- Around noon, a severe northeasterly squall struck—rough seas and high winds
- She foundered and sank along with others in the fleet; only Huron survived the passage (Facebook)
- Crew loss: 3 aboard—presumed lost with the vessel (fishing gear counted lost; indicate crew were also lost) (Facebook)
Vessel Characteristics & Context
- Likely a small, open-deck wooden fishing boat equipped with nets or lines—typical of late-19th-century Lake Huron fleet
- Operated seasonally from Goderich, Ontario—a major fisheries hub at the time (Parks Canada History)
- No specifications such as length or tonnage currently available
Historical & Fisheries Context
- The Lake Huron fishery was a vital local economy in the late 1800s, dominated by small craft that often fished close to shore (Parks Canada History, ontario.ca)
- The loss of multiple vessels on April 9 signals a swift and violent weather event—common in spring, when northeaster storms form rapidly
- Parisian‘s loss is recorded alongside that of Parana and other unidentified fleet members (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Vessel Registry | Investigate Canadian fisheries logs (Department of Marine & Fisheries, Annual Reports 1889–1891) for vessel names, masters, tonnage, crew lists (waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca, publications.gc.ca) |
| Name Verification | Determine exact name via contemporary newspapers—e.g., Goderich Signal-Star (April 1890 issues) |
| Crew Details | Locate names, origins, and potential memorials through coroner’s and vital records (Bruce County Archives, Ontario Archives) |
| Weather & Marine Reports | Review historic wind charts, marine weather logs, and Fisheries Branch bulletins around April 9, 1890 |
| Wreck Site Survey | Use sonar/magnetometer nearshore off Goderich to detect hull remnants or scattered fishing gear |
| Oral Histories | Consult Bruce County Museum—John Weichel’s files may include local eyewitness testimonies (Bruce Museum, Bruce Museum) |
Conclusion
The Parisian represents a tragic case of rapid weather onset in Lake Huron’s April fishery. With three hands lost, and the vessel alongside several others, this event underscores the peril small fishing craft faced. Her disappearance remains largely undocumented beyond fleet loss records. Adequate archival research in Fisheries and provincial sources, coupled with a dive survey near Goderich, could illuminate her final resting place and salvage fragments of the fishing-era heritage.
parisian-parisen-parisien 1890-04-09 11:14:00