Ann Maria (Schooner), U387, aground, 7 Oct 1902

Kincardine, Ont., Oct. 8. - The schooner ANNA MARIE of Alpena, Mich., loaded with coal for the Kincardine waterworks, was wrecked here last night. Capt. Gordon and three of the crew, with Mr. Ferguson of a rescue party, were drowned.
      Buffalo Evening News
      October 8, 1902

     
     
     
      The schooner ANNA MARIA of Alpena, loaded with coal for the Kincardine Water Works was wrecked at Kincardine, Ont., last night. Capt. Gordon and three of the crew; with Mr. Ferguson of the rescue party; were drowned.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Wednesday, October 8, 1902
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      For nearly twenty years the Kincardine area remained free of major marine disasters. But on Oct. 7, 1902 the shore resounded to the fury of wind and sea as the piers were buried in the foam of a westerly gale. Throughout the afternoon the surf ebbed and flowed across deserted beaches and as the daylight faded into darkness the wind increasing in ferocity. About 10 o'clock in the evening faint cries were heard from the direction of the harbour. Those who investigated were astonished to see a large schooner aground near the South Pier, the wild seas breaking clean over her. A lifeboat crew was quickly formed and preparations made to bring off the shrieking crew. The wreck proved to be that of the ANN MARIE, built at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1864 by Peter White and bound from Cleveland to Kincardine with coal.
      The rescue boat with a crew of four - John McGaw Jr., Walter McGaw, Thomas McGaw, Sr., and William Ferguson - started for the wreck and reached it with great difficulty. Despite the darkness and roaring sea all of the six persons aboard the ANN MARIA were loaded into the boat. Having got the crew off and being about to start for the shore, a huge wave swept over the schooner and upset the life-boat throwing the occupants into the water. Two sailors and three townsmen succeeded in regaining the schooner. Five were lost including Caapt. Alex Gordon, Port Dover; Mrs. Kennedy, Alpena, cook; Steen Ryan, Alpena; Perry Bond, Marine City; and William Ferguson, Kincardine. The two sailors saved were William Pemberton and George Schryer, both of Alpena. The MARIA was continually wracked by heaving seas and not until 2 o'clock in the morning did the lake flatten enough for the exhausted survivors to be taken off. Each of the rescue crew received a gold life-saving medal from the President of the United States and a bronze medal from the Royal Canadian Humane Society.
      Shipwrecks of the Saugeen
      by Patrick Folkes

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Schooner ANN MARIA. U. S. No. 387. Of 256 tons gross; 243 tons net. Built Conneaut, O., 1864. Home port, Port Huron, Mich. 131.2 x 26.3 x 11.3 Crew of 6
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1902