Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Minnedosa OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: C94884 DATE OF LOSS: 20 October 1905 REASON: Storm LOCATION: Lake Huron, off Harbor Beach RIG TYPE: Schooner, 4 mast HULL TYPE: Wooden BUILDER: J. Rooney, Kingston, Ontario - 1890 OWNER(S): Montreal Trans. Co. MASTER: Capt. John Phillips TONNAGE: 1,315 gt DIMENSIONS: 243 x 38 x 18 CASUALTIES: 9 (all) SURVIVORS: 0 One of the few four-masted schooners to ever sail the Great Lakes, the MINNEDOSA was the largest sail vessel ever built in Canada. 22 October 1892 - Damaged in the Welland Canal after the propeller ARABIAN broke down the lock gates of No. 4 lock releasing a large volume of water that forced the MINNEDOSA into the wing wall of the lock below. Damage estimated at $15,000 of which Marine Ins. Co., Ltd. paid $8,051.20. 20 October 1905 - Steamer WESTMOUNT was downbound with the the MINNEDOSA and MELROSE in tow; all loaded with grain from Fort William bound for Kingston. As "bad weather" turned into a gale the MINNEDOSA developed a thirst for lake water, becoming waterlogged. Knowing that she was soon to sink the tow line to the MELROSE, the last in the line, was cut to prevent taking her down as well. The MINNEDOSA reportedly went down so fast that no one saw her final dive. When the steel tow cable from the WESTMOUNT was pulled to the surface they found the towing post from the MINNEDOSA still attached to the end. 30 May 1993 - Wreck located in about 250 ft. of water by a dive team led by Dave Trotter. Casualties: John Phillips, captain - Kingston, Ontario Mrs. Phillips, wife of captain Arthur Waller, mate - Nova Scotia George McFermott, Belleville, Ontario James Allen, Nova Scotia 3 unknown sailors - believed of Kingston 1 unknown passenger - believed of Kingston ======================================================================== Sources: Donahue "Schooners in Peril" - 1995, p. 159-161 Daily British Whig, 26 April 1890 The Federal Reporter, Vol. 111-112, 1902 Dawson Daily News, 16 November 1905 Marine Review, Vol. 32 - 1905 Boyer "Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes", 1968 - p. 9 The Labour Gazette, Vol. 6, 1906 - p. 472 Telescope, Vol. 42-43, 1994 - p. 24 Last updated 3 August 2014