Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Phoebe Catherine
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Tate, Picton, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 97 ft (29.57 m); Beam 22 ft (6.71 m); Depth of hold 8.7 ft (2.65 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 141 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.65 m / 8.7 ft
- Location: Thomas Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario
- Official Number: Not assigned
- Original Owners: Park & Bishop, Picton, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
The Phoebe Catherine was a Canadian-built wooden schooner constructed in 1864 at Picton, Ontario, by shipbuilder Tate. Measuring 97 feet (29.57 metres) in length with a beam of 22 feet (6.71 metres) and a depth of 8.7 feet (2.65 metres), she had a registered tonnage of 141 tons. The vessel was owned by Park & Bishop of Picton and was primarily engaged in cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
History
On October 8, 1871, under the command of Captain Richard Hill, the Phoebe Catherine departed Sarnia, Ontario, bound for Collingwood with a cargo of 120 barrels of coal oil. The voyage proceeded smoothly until the vessel reached Cape Hurd, covering approximately 185 miles in 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, by 10 a.m. on October 9, a severe gale developed, intensifying into a full storm by midnight.
In the early hours of October 10, the schooner found herself near the Isle of Coves amidst thick smoke and low visibility. The crew attempted to heave to until daylight but were soon driven into breakers. They anchored the vessel for 24 hours, enduring waves that swept over the deck. At 7 p.m., the anchors failed, and the Phoebe Catherine was driven ashore at the east point of Thomas Bay on Manitoulin Island.
To prevent the vessel from breaking apart, Captain Hill ordered her scuttled in four feet of water. The crew lashed themselves to the rigging overnight and managed to reach shore the following morning. They constructed a makeshift tent from salvaged sails and lit a fire to dry their clothes. Exhausted, they fell asleep, only to be awakened by the fire burning the cook’s feet. Twelve hours later, they received assistance from a passing Indigenous boat.
Captain Hill later reported that five vessels were ashore on the Isle of Coves and four on Manitoulin Island due to the same storm. The Phoebe Catherine was insured for two-thirds of her value with the Western Insurance Company. A tug was dispatched to salvage what remained of the vessel and to retrieve the crew.
Significant Incidents
- October 9, 1871: The Phoebe Catherine was driven ashore during a severe gale.
- Captain Hill reported multiple vessels were stranded in the same storm.
Final Disposition
The Phoebe Catherine was scuttled in shallow water to prevent her from breaking apart after being driven ashore during a severe gale. While initial reports suggested she might be a total loss, subsequent records indicate that she was refloated, repaired, and returned to service. She continued to operate in the Great Lakes region until at least 1887.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no records indicating that the remains of the Phoebe Catherine have been discovered or documented after her final disposition.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”phoebe-catherine-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The Phoebe Catherine‘s ordeal during the October 1871 gale highlights the perils faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite the severe damage sustained, the vessel’s survival and return to service demonstrate the resilience of both the ship and her crew. Her story remains a testament to the challenges of maritime commerce in that era.
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
- Name: Phoebe Catherine
- Official Number: Not assigned
- Date Built and Launched: 1864
- Builder: Tate, Picton, Ontario
- Measurements:
- Length: 97 feet (29.57 metres)
- Beam: 22 feet (6.71 metres)
- Depth: 8.7 feet (2.65 metres)
- Tonnage (Registered): 141 tons
- Propulsion: Sail
- Owners: Park & Bishop, Picton, Ontario
- Date Lost: October 9, 1871
- Final Disposition: Stranded and scuttled near Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
The Phoebe Catherine was a Canadian-built wooden schooner constructed in 1864 at Picton, Ontario, by shipbuilder Tate. Measuring 97 feet (29.57 metres) in length with a beam of 22 feet (6.71 metres) and a depth of 8.7 feet (2.65 metres), she had a registered tonnage of 141 tons. The vessel was owned by Park & Bishop of Picton and was primarily engaged in cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
History
On October 8, 1871, under the command of Captain Richard Hill, the Phoebe Catherine departed Sarnia, Ontario, bound for Collingwood with a cargo of 120 barrels of coal oil. The voyage proceeded smoothly until the vessel reached Cape Hurd, covering approximately 185 miles in 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, by 10 a.m. on October 9, a severe gale developed, intensifying into a full storm by midnight.
In the early hours of October 10, the schooner found herself near the Isle of Coves amidst thick smoke and low visibility. The crew attempted to heave to until daylight but were soon driven into breakers. They anchored the vessel for 24 hours, enduring waves that swept over the deck. At 7 p.m., the anchors failed, and the Phoebe Catherine was driven ashore at the east point of Thomas Bay on Manitoulin Island.
To prevent the vessel from breaking apart, Captain Hill ordered her scuttled in four feet of water. The crew lashed themselves to the rigging overnight and managed to reach shore the following morning. They constructed a makeshift tent from salvaged sails and lit a fire to dry their clothes. Exhausted, they fell asleep, only to be awakened by the fire burning the cook’s feet. Twelve hours later, they received assistance from a passing Indigenous boat.
Captain Hill later reported that five vessels were ashore on the Isle of Coves and four on Manitoulin Island due to the same storm. The Phoebe Catherine was insured for two-thirds of her value with the Western Insurance Company. A tug was dispatched to salvage what remained of the vessel and to retrieve the crew.
Final Disposition
The Phoebe Catherine was scuttled in shallow water to prevent her from breaking apart after being driven ashore during a severe gale. While initial reports suggested she might be a total loss, subsequent records indicate that she was refloated, repaired, and returned to service. She continued to operate in the Great Lakes region until at least 1887.
Located By & Date Found
There are no records indicating that the remains of the Phoebe Catherine have been discovered or documented after her final disposition.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no known navigational warnings or advisories related to the Phoebe Catherine‘s scuttling site.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Phoebe Catherine‘s ordeal during the October 1871 gale highlights the perils faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite the severe damage sustained, the vessel’s survival and return to service demonstrate the resilience of both the ship and her crew. Her story remains a testament to the challenges of maritime commerce in that era.
Keywords: Phoebe Catherine, schooner, Manitoulin Island, 1871 shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents, Canadian Schooners
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Scuttling, Gale, Coal Oil, Thomas Bay
phoebe-catherine-1864 1871-10-09 13:54:00