Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William Seymour
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller freighter
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: H. Marlton, Goderich, Ontario
- Dimensions: 87 ft (26.6 m) × 18 ft (5.5 m) × 8 ft (2.4 m); approx. 45 tons
- Registered Tonnage: None known
- Location: Wrecked near Lonely Island, east of South Baymouth
- Official Number: None known
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A small, wooden propeller freighter typical of coastal trade vessels operating in Georgian Bay during the late 19th century, built to carry timber and other goods between local ports.
Description
The William Seymour measured approximately 87 ft in length, with modest tonnage but enough capacity to transport lumber along the rugged shoreline. Her wooden hull and single propeller setup made her well-suited for coastal routes, though she lacked the resilience of larger freighters.
History
On 9 October 1877, during a late-season storm, the William Seymour was driven ashore near Lonely Island, just east of South Baymouth. High winds and rough seas pushed her onto the rocky shore, where she was wrecked and broke apart. The brig Pilgrim, arriving on 26 June (year unspecified), stripped the wreck.
Significant Incidents
- Wrecked during a storm on 9 October 1877.
- No fatalities recorded among the crew.
- Stripped by the brig Pilgrim after the wreck.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss, having broken up on the shoreline. No salvage or recovery was recorded, aside from the stripping of materials by the Pilgrim.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern archaeological expedition has located the wreck. Its site is referenced via the original grounding location near Lonely Island in Georgian Bay.
Resources & Links
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The William Seymour serves as an example of 19th-century lumber transport on Georgian Bay. Her wrecking in 1877 during a storm highlights the vulnerability of small freighters to sudden weather changes and coastal hazards.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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