"Brodericks" Goes Back to 7-Years War: Schooner Days DCCCC (900)

by C. H. J. Snider

"BRODERICKS POINT," as all Ontario sailors called it, is Braddocks Point on the charts, seven miles from Charlotte and the mouth of the Genesee river. Its tall red brick lighthouse, the best known on the south shore of Lake Ontario, is not on the point which gives it its name, but on Bogus Point, 3 miles to the west. The name Braddocks or Brodericks may be a corruption of Prideaux, for the bay which the point shelters was known as Prideaux Bay from 1759 onwards. Brigadier Prideaux's expedition, which captured Niagara from the French in July of that year, rendezvoused in this bay and encamped on the shore, mooring their bateaux and whaleboats in the lee of the point, which gives shelter from all winds except those between northwest and east. The best holding ground for vessels is at least 3/4 miles offshore. Only experienced men like Geordie Williamson would think of anchoring there for shelter in the aftermath of the hurricane that destroyed Galvenston in September, 1900.—Schooner Days.

When it is recalled that Isle aux Galete has been "Englishized" into Skillagalee and Les Cheneaux into The Snows, Seul Choix into Siskeiva—all Great Lakes ports—and Isle aux Noix in Lake Champlain into I'll Ox Knox, it does not seem impossible that Prideaux may have been the original of Brodericks. At any rate, that is what sailors have called the bay and point for generations, and that is where Brigadier Prideaux assembled his little army preparing for the second knockout for the French after losing Frontenac.

Braddock's Point Light is one seen by every sailor and passenger on Lake Ontario, but one seldom photographed, for the land approach is not easy. The terrain here is a series of bays or large ponds, cut off from Lake Ontario by bars of sand and gravel.

Sir,—The Emerald Flashes which have appeared in your column "Schooner Days" recently, are very interesting, and recall the loss of that schooner between Charlotte and Toronto in November, 1903.

I remember the local interest at that time as considerable wreckage from the vessel washed ashore at Victoria Beach, Colborne, including a new bowsprit trimmed and ready to be installed, apparently being carried on deck. On this stick of timber was written in large letters with blue pencil "Schr. Emerald." This along with other wreckage was identified by the late Capt. George Brown of Lakeport, who had sailed with Capt. Frank McMaster in the Emerald. Capt. Brown fitted out the schooner Flora Carveth that season, and Thomas Slight went mate with him. The Carveth, laid up early owing to lack of trade, and, if I remember correctly, Thomas Slight was drowned with all the other members of the crew, having gone mate with Capt. McMaster in the Emerald in the fall.

I have often wondered if any of the crew of the Emerald were ever found, or if it had remained another Lake Ontario mystery. I hope that some future article will deal with this interesting subject.

Very truly yours,

W. W. D. McGlennon.

BRADDOCK'S POINT LIGHT which shines on bay where Prideaux prepared to take Niagara from the French in 1759.