St Anthony (1856)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: St. Anthony
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: Erie, Pennsylvania
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: None assigned
• Location: Approximately 4 miles north of Goderich, Ontario
• Official Number: None assigned
• Original Owners: General C. M. Read
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden two-masted schooner (Atin Ito)

Description

The St. Anthony was a wooden schooner constructed in 1856 in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was a sister ship to the St. Paul, suggesting similarities in design and construction. While specific measurements are not documented, schooners of this era typically measured between 30 to 45 meters (98 to 148 feet) in length.

History

On October 28, 1856, the St. Anthony, under the command of Captain Hiram Blood and owned by General C. M. Read, was transporting a cargo of wheat from Chicago to Buffalo. While navigating Lake Huron, the vessel encountered a severe storm and was driven ashore approximately 4 miles north of Goderich, Ontario. The grounding resulted in significant damage, including a ripped-out bottom. Initial assessments in late November held hope for salvaging the vessel; however, there is no evidence to suggest that the St. Anthony was ever recovered or returned to service. The estimated loss, including the hull and cargo, was valued at $36,000 at the time.

In a related incident, the wrecking tug Fashion, dispatched to assist the St. Anthony, was reportedly destroyed in another storm during the rescue attempt. The Fashion was a brig built in 1846 by Johnson & Tisdale in Cleveland, measuring approximately 37.8 meters (124 feet) in length. It became a total loss while going to the assistance of the stranded schooner St. Anthony (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Significant Incidents

• October 28, 1856: The St. Anthony grounded during a storm, resulting in significant damage.
• Related incident: The tug Fashion was lost while attempting to assist the St. Anthony.

Final Disposition

The St. Anthony was declared a total loss following the storm-induced grounding. There is no record of the vessel being salvaged or returned to service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

In August 2023, 10-year-old Lucas Atchison discovered remnants of a shipwreck at Point Farms Provincial Park, north of Goderich, Ontario, using a metal detector. The Ontario Marine Heritage Committee (OMHC) conducted an excavation and found frames from the side of a schooner, suggesting a strong-built, two-masted sailing vessel. Marine archaeologist Scarlett Janusas and historian Patrick Folkes believe this wreck could be the St. Anthony, based on its location and construction features. After documentation, the wreck was reburied to preserve it.

There are no current Notices to Mariners or advisories regarding obstructions at the site of the St. Anthony wreck.

Resources & Links

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The St. Anthony serves as a historical example of the perils faced by 19th-century schooners on the Great Lakes. Its recent potential rediscovery highlights the ongoing importance of maritime archaeology in uncovering and preserving our nautical heritage.