McNab's Knockout Saved Many Lives: Schooner Days MCCX (1210)

by C. H. J. Snider

"YOUR interesting story in the Telegram — "None have a sea like Lake Huron," recalled to my memory a story of Lake Huron told to me seventy years ago by my grandfather about his brother, Alexander McNab, a Dominion land surveyor. "It was to the effect that McNab and his staff of surveyors were on an expedition northward on Lake Huron to survey the Canada-United States boundary line, westward. During their course a violent storm from the north hit the ship somewhat north of Goderich. The Captain of the ship became frightened for the safety of his vessel and crew and was determined to turn about and head southward for shelter. McNab objected, and warned the Captain not to attempt coming about in the huge rolling seas for the ship would surely founder and drown the whole crew, including himself and his staff for whom he was responsible. He must continue heading into the storm, and take a chance of pulling through.

MUTINY

"The Captain persisted in his decision to turn around. The argument grew more heated until the Captain threw his wheel hard over, and ordered McNab out of the wheel-house. McNab bounded at him and hit him a mighty blow with his fist, knocking him cold. He grabbed the wheel and held the ship head on into the now surging seas, and held it there until they reached the North shore and safety.

"The blow that McNab gave the Captain resulted in his death. Many months after when McNab finished his survey assignment he returned to Toronto with his field notes and was apprehended on a charge of murdering the Captain.

The outcome of the trial was, that the Judge, after gathering all the evidence from members of the crew and staff gave judgment exonerating McNab, and commended him highly for his action, as he had undoubtedly, saved not only the ship but the lives of all aboard.

"I am: now eighty years old, and many other descendants of the passengers on this boat are about the same age. I presume this incident happened in the 1860s as I was told the story in 1882."

The above from Mr. John J. McNab of Gravenhurst, whose vigor of style and brightness of recollection belies his eighty years. This writer would be very glad to hear from any others who have information on the subject, and will try to give the full story.

WRECK OF THE SINGAPORE

"Years ago, I think it was between 1902 and 1906," wrote W. J. Mclvor, Sr., of Little Current, last year, "a two-masted schooner was wrecked near the breakwater at Southampton. The Captain was named Sutherland and his wife was cook. I think they owned the boat. She carried lumber from Collins Inlet and I measured the lumber going into her. Up to 1901 the lumber (about five million feet a season) was all carried by schooners as about a mile of the channel was only eight and nine feet deep. It was dredged to twelve feet in 1901 and to sixteen feet in 1911.

"I can recall the names of all the schooners with exception of the one mentioned above. I wonder if you could give it to me?

"Before dredging boats would load to 8' at the mill, then tow out four miles and balance of load was forwarded to them on scows. The Company had one scow that carried 100,000 ft. and another that took 50,000."

Would be glad to hear the names of the other schooners from Mr. McIvor. Probably the querist has in mind the schooner Singapore, Capt. Sutherland, wrecked at Kincardine (not Southampton) late September, 1902. We all make mistakes of memory, and in this Mr. McIvor will find himself in good company. Might point out, however, that his interesting letter, of almost a year ago, would have been answered earlier had it not been been wrongly addressed to "C. H. J. Skinner" - possibly a better man, but sunk down to Schooner Days. Story of the loss of the Singapore will be given when space permits.