Parisian (Parisen, Parisien)

Explore the wreck of the Parisian, a wooden fishing vessel lost in a storm on Lake Huron in 1890, with a tragic crew loss and a rich historical context.

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

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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.

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Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

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