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© W I N G R O V E   W O R L D  W I D E    

The Great Lakes system is a series of fresh water lakes that are part of the shared international border of  Canada and the United States. The lakes are five in number, but lore and legend is endless surrounding the history of the lakes.

                

  carpenter, ship builder

Courtesy of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

First Registration Name: BELLWOOD Location: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
Registration: 15/1908 Date Registered: 1908/11/24Official Number:126262
Original Building Information
Built By: DANIEL M. WINGROVE GRAVENHURST
Built At: BELLWOODS SIDING MUSKOKA, ONTARIO, CANADA Date Built: 1908
Length: 44.00 Beam: 11.60 Gross: 22.90 Net: 13.42
Vessel Description
Deck: ONE Type: CARVEL Stern: ROUND Gallery: NONE Stem: PLAIN Frame: WOOD Propulsion: STEAM SCREW Number of Masts: NONE Type of Rig: NONE
Type of Engine: HIGH PRESSURE Number of Engines:ONE Date Built: 1902
Built by: WM. PETRIE TORONTO Horsepower: 1.63
Boiler Information Type of Boiler: STEEL Number of Boilers: ONE
Built by: WATEROUS ENGINE WORKS CO. LTD BRANTFORD Date:1907
Closing Information
Date Registration Closed: 1948/09/23     Date of Reason Closed:1932    
Reason Closed: DISMANTLED

Notes: DANIEL MALCOLM WINGROVE
           from :List of Crown Patentees
                   Daniel M Wingrove  Muskoka Township, Simcoe County Ontario  Con 5 Lot 26, 27
           Possible Identity :   Daniel Malcolm Wingrove son of George Henry Wingrove;
                                        one of first generation in Canada 

Descendants of Daniel Malcolm Wingrove

Generation No. 1

1. DANIEL MALCOLM WINGROVE (GEORGE HENRY, JOHN W) 
    He married (1) MARY HIRST, daughter of JEREMIAH HIRST and MARY HUDSON. 
    She was born 1837, and died 29 March 1857 
     burial in St John's Anglican Church Cemetery Nassagaweya Twp ON CAN. 
    He married (2) ELIZABETH EMMONS.

    Notes for DANIEL MALCOLM WINGROVE: 
     1st wife Mary Hirst 
     2nd married Dec 4 1861 Mary Elizabeth Emmons b. Feb 2,1836-1873  
     3rd Sarah Flowers (Whitehead) 
     4th Mrs. Grant

Children of DANIEL MALCOLM WINGROVE are:

i. EMMA JANE WINGROVE, 
    b. 25 May 1863, 
       Infant Mortality Mother Died.

ii. GEORGE HENRY WINGROVE, 
     b. 24 June 1865; 
     d. 15 July 1896; 
     m. CLARA DENCH.

iii. WILLIAM JOHN WINGROVE, 
      b. 05 September 1867; 
      d. 13 June 1886.

iv. HANNAH WINGROVE, 
       b. 21 April 1870; 
       d. 26 April 1933; 
       m. WILLIAM WESLEY HOPKINSON; 
            b. 09 February 1874; 
            d. 05 March 1925, at age 51

v. PHOEBE ELIZABETH WINGROVE, 
        b. 23 June 1870; 
        d. 25 April 1950. 

  born England

                         Possible Family

1881 Collingwood, Simcoe North, Ontario

Name	Marital Status	Gender	Ethnic Origin	Age	Birthplace	Religion
Emma Wingrove	W	Female	English	30	England	Episcopal
Jessie Wingrove		Female	English	1	Ontario	Episcopal
Annie Wingrove		Female	English	3	England	Episcopal

THE SINKING OF THE "WAUBUNO" 1879 This anchor, recovered in 1959, belonged to the steamer "Waubuno", a wooden side wheeler of some 200 tons which was built at Port Robinson in 1865. She carried freight and passengers in the shipping trade which flourished on Lake Huron during the nineteenth century. Commanded by Captain J. Burkett, she sailed from Collingwood on November 22, 1879, bound for Parry Sound. The "Waubuno" encountered a violent gale later that day and sank in Georgian Bay some 20 miles south of here. All on board perished, and although some wreckage was later discovered, the bodies of the 24 victims were never found. The specific cause of this disaster has never been determined. Historical Plaque Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario

Northern Advance, (Barrie), November 27, 1879

A STEAMER LOST!
THE "WAUBUNO" WRECKED
ALL ON BOARD SUPPOSED TO HAVE PERISHED

News has been received of the loss of the steamer Waubuno, near Parry Sound. The vessel left Collingwood on Saturday for Parry Sound, but no tidings being received, fears were entertained as -to her safety. The tug Mittie Grew was dispatched to find tidings of the steamer, and returned reporting having found a portion of the wreck of the Waubuno near Haystacks, about five miles north-west of Moose Point. The life-boat was found bottom up. The shores of the islands were strewn with the cargo and wreck of the steamer. No trace of the passengers or crew was discovered. The report sent to the Globe states: The only accurate record of passengers was kept in the books of the steamer, but from inquiries made there is good reason to believe that the following passengers were aboard: Dr. W. H. Doupe; and his wife, of Mitchell; Mr. B.N. Fisher, editor and proprietor of the North Star, Parry Sound; a gentleman named Sylvester, his wife; and a Mr. Grigtin, of Gananoque. Three unknown men, supposed to be a farmer and his two sons, put up at one of the hotels on Friday last, announcing their intention of going to Parry Sound on the Waubuno, and it is believed that they also were on board.. There may have been other passengers, but any case the number was small, owing to the lateness of the season. Dr. Doupe was a young practitioner. He had been married only a few weeks, and was going with his wife to settle in McKellar, back of Parry Sound, where he expected to practise his profession. The crew were captain G. P. Burkitt; mate, A. Forbes; purser, John Rowland, Jr.; engineer, J. McQuade; wheelsmen, J. McMurchy and J.Harris; firemen; P. O'Grady and R Cook; waiter, George Bass; Cook, G. Hall; porter, B. Wyly; deck -hands Wingrove and Jamieson. The ladies maid, Miss Mary Hyatt, was also on board.

(The farmers mentioned above are Mr. Wm. Robinson, and his two sons, of Oro, who were on their way to look at some land in the District.) 

Source 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

from Transcript from the Parry Sound North Star
November 28 1879 

The following is a list of the crew and passengers as far as we can ascertain at present: Crew: - J. Barkett, Captain; S. Ford, Mate; J. Rowland, Purser; J. McQuade, Engineer; Patrick O'Grady and Robert Cook, Firemen; -- McMurchy and James Harris, Wheelsmen; Miss Hiot, Lady's Maid; George Bass, Steward; Banks Wylie, Porter; J. Hall, Cook; J. Wingrove and Jamieson, Deck Hands. Passengers: - Mr. B. Noel Fisher, editor and proprietor of this paper; Dr. Doupe and wife, of Mitchell, going to settle in McKellar, and had only been married three weeks; Mr. Sylvester and wife; a man named Griffin, from Gananoque, and three others unknown, supposed to be father and two sons, farmers. All the crew lived in Collingwood, and great anxiety is felt by the relatives and friends of the missing ones. Five of them were married men with families, viz: the Captain, McQuade, McMurchy, Harris and Hall. Mr. McQuade is very much respected in this part of the country, being engineer on the "Waubuno" for ***** years. He has two sons on the "Magnettawan," one engineer and the other a deck-hand.

The mystery surrounding the wreck and the fact that most of the ship has never been found has  taken on the life of a legend. It was rumored that a newly married passenger had a dream that the ship would flounder and be lost. She pleaded with her husband, a doctor  to abandon the trip. He explained that everything had been loaded and this was the last trip of the season. They and the others were never seen again. The story caused much distress among the other passenger and crew. As the storm abated the ship set off into the darkness of early morning.  The last sighting was by a lighthouse keeper on Christian Island, who reported that the boat was riding well in the rough weather. The ship's whistle was heard from near the Moon River several hours later.The storm gave way to a gale and all were lost. The rescue two days later, found only debris and a crushed lifeboat. Part of the hull was found but the superstructure nor any sign of the 24 people on board has ever been sighted. There is some speculation that the this wreck discovered in 1959 by divers is not of the the Waubuno. Indian legend suggest that a huge sea monster was instrumental in crushing the boat and taking the souls on board.  The so called seechee wave is part of a legend of the Chippewa Indians of Lake Superior. They still speak of the gigantic sturgeon - a monster fish with that a flick of his tail was said to destroy the mightiest vessel. The name of this ship also adds to the mystery for Waubuno is  an Algonquin Indian name for "Black Magician."
The offical end of the Waubuno is that it is listed as 'disappeared'

The rudder from the Waubuno is on display at the Huronia Museum in Midland Ontario. It is part of the exhibit detailing the lighthouses and their part in saving the lives of many in this lake and in particular Georgian Bay part of the Great Lakes system. The exhibit is called Alone in the Night

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enterprise, (Collingwood), November 28, 1879

WRECK OF THE WAUBUNO

ALL THE PASSENGERS AND CREW LOST

PARTS OF THE WRECK & FREIGHT STREWED ALONG THE SHORE

About Thirty-two Lives Lost

THREE TUGS SENT OUT TO EXAMINE THE COAST AND ENDEAVOUR TO FIND THE BODIES

FRUITLESS SEARCH

THE TUGS RETURNED

One of the most appalling accidents that has ever visited out town occurred on Saturday last, whereby 32 human beings met a watery grave. The Waubuno one of the Georgian bay Transportation Company steamers, left here at 4 a.m. Saturday morning with fourteen of her crew and about eighteen passengers besides a heavy load of freight, principally of flour, pork and apples and three car loads of general Merchandise, for Parry Sound, the wind blowing fresh at the time from the South-west, she was last seen passing the Christian islands by the lighthouse keeper, keeping on her regular course. The gale increased so much during the day that the steamer Magnettawan which left here for the same port at 10 a.m. had to lay to at the Christian Islands until the following Monday morning, when she was enabled to reach her destination. The first intimation of the dreadful occurrence that our citizens had was a telegram from Midland to the effect following:

MIDLAND ONT., Nov.24, (10 a.m.) - Mr. A. Cadotte reports that while coming down the Georgian Bay yesterday, he passed portions of the cabin and deck of a steamer, also barrels of flour coming from the Western Islands near the light house. He says that the north shore is strewn with portions of the wreck and cargo.

On receipt of the telegram the wrecking tug Mary Ann was got ready for sea, and about 4 o'clock left for the scene of the disaster; having on board besides he crew Mr. T. Long, Mr. Geo. Moberly and Mr. John Rowland. The storm was so great, however, that they had to remain at the Christian Islands all night and until noon on Tuesday when the tug proceeded to the scene of the wreck on order to render any assistance and hunt for any survivors that might have reached the shore.; but we regret to state their efforts have been unavailing, as no trace of the missing passengers or crew can be found. Two other tugs were also departed from Parry Sound; but their efforts were alike fruitless. They remained all day on Tuesday coasting along the shore and examining the inlets, but with out effect until Wednesday, when they all abandoned the search and returned home. The Mary Ann brought back the metallic life boat(damaged) some bedding life-preservers and other portions of the wreck picked up during her search.

All hopes of any of the passengers or crew being saved is now abandoned and consequently the real cause of the disaster will be forever shrouded in mystery. The supposition is that with the heavy load and the gale that was blowing at the time, a wave struck her and stove in her hold after filling her hold with water and thus causing her to sink at once, and in going down, the air getting under her lighter upper works forced them, with her floating deck load, off , the hull with the remainder of the cargo, passengers and crew all going to the bottom without a moments warning. Of course it is impossible to fix the exact locality of the terrible disaster; but from the point where the portions of the wreck have been found, and the direction of the prevailing winds, we should say it would be only some six or seven miles south of the Western Islands on her regular course between here and Parry Sound.

All kinds of rumours were in circulation during the past few days, with regards to the wreck and those on board; but we believe the above are the facts and reliable. It is scarcely necessary to add that the terrible calamity has cast a gloom over the whole town, the bereaved friends having the deepest sympathy of every citizen in this their sore distress.

The following is the list of those on board as leaving Collingwood, as near as can be ascertained, there being no means of positively of learning the names or number of passengers. The names of the passengers being principally picked up at the hotels where they were stopping. There may have been others on board whose names have not transpired-

Captain Burkett, mate, A. Forbes: purser, J. Rowland: engineer, J.. Mqeuade; wheels J. McMuichy; wheelsmen, J. H. Harris; fireman, , P. O'Grady, fireman, R. Cook, waiter, Geo Bass; Cook. J. Hale; (col.); porter, Bwillie; ladiesmaid, Mary Hiott; deck hands, Wingrove and Hiott

PASSENGERS

Dr. W H Donpe and wife Mitchell, B. Noal Fisher, (Editor North Star) Mr. Sylvestor and wife, Mr. Griffin, Gannanoque; Three men supposed to be father and two sons who had been stopping at the Anglo American; Mrs. McDougall and family were also supposed to be on board. In addition to the foregoing too other passengers heretofore not known, appear to have perished on the ill-fated steamer as will be seen by the following letter;

Sir- For the information of friends and relatives, please give publicity to the fact, that Mr. David Collette a member of the Queen's own, and a printer in my employment until last week was a passenger on the steamer Waubuno. Mr. Collette and another young journeyman printer named Colin or Canthn, were engaged by Mr. Fisher to work on the Parry Sound Star, and

left in his company for their destination last Friday. Should his friends or relatives desire any further information I will willingly furnish all I can.

Yours &c

WILSON MORTON

Toronto Nov. 25th 1879

DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL

The Waubuno was built in Thorald in 1865 and was 135 feet in length .by 18 feet 5 inches in breadth, and 7 feet in depth. Her gross tonnage was 465 tons; her registered tonnage being 293 tons. She was regarded as a good strong sea boat, and has stood a good deal of heavy weather during the past fourteen years, as she seldom postponed a trip on account of weather, but it is feared that she was too heavily laden, having a large amount of freight on board. If she had prudently sought the shelter of Christian Island until the gale abated she would have escaped destruction; but , no doubt, the captain had full confidence in her ability to weather any storm she encountered when he proceeded on his perilous journey.

The late sad and terrible accident to the Waubuno has left six widows and families most of whom are totally unprovided for when a little forethought on the part of those whose duty it was to provide for them in getting life or accident assurance would have made them comfortable...Five dollars a year will secure an accident policy...

THE WAUBUNO

To the Editor of the Enterprize

SIR - There can be little doubt that all who were on board the Waubuno have perished and none left to tell the tale of the awful shipwreck This terrible visitation from the All Wise Ruler of the Universe has been the all absorbing thought and topic of conversation of every one words of sympathy for the dear ones left behind to morn the loss of the loved ones gone before have been uttered by all. The time has now come for action prompt, decided action , the widows and the orphans must have everything done to assist them in their dire necessity that lies in our power. The bread- winners have been taken from them. The God of the fatherless and the widow has entrusted them to the care of the people of this town, let us fully realize our responsibility.

My first thought was to announce through the papers that the offering on Sunday next in All Saint's church should be given for the assistance of the sufferers, and to suggest that it shall be generally done, but on second thoughts I considered it better not to do so, for it is a common thing in every community for people to excuse themselves from giving further and because they say they gave all they could afford on Sunday, when perhaps they were the very ones to give the smallest coins. I cannot think of any better plan than for the Mayor to open a subscription list, at his office, for the cheerful givers to deposit their gifts to have also an Aid Committee appointed to go to every one not thus contributing and have the subscribers names with the amounts given, published in all the local papers. If the amount contributed be in proportion to the words of sympathy uttered Collingwood will do well. What ever is done must be done at once, while hearts are open, moreover, the need of some of the widows is most pressing, no time should be lost in letting them know that active measures are being taken to help them.

It has been my lot in life to see many cases of distress, but never have I found such desolate homes and broken hearts as I have among friends of the ship's comp of the ill-fated Waubuno.

Obediently yours

L. H. Kirby

The Rectory, Nov. 17, 1879

A telegram from the Sault says the Queen arrived there all right Fears were entertained as to the safety of the Winnipeg, but she arrived at 3:30p.m. yesterday, and reports heavy weather during the whole trip; she passed the Ontario and Quebec at the Neebish going up, and the Belle at Killarney had to lay to in several places, during the week, owing to the heavy sea. The Francis Smith, which left the Sault on Saturday morning last encountered very heavy weather, and on leaving Killarney on Sunday, after two hours run she had to return, the return taking her eight hours to make the port again; she left here on Tuesday afternoon for Owen Sound, to go into winter quarters. The Vanderbilt left here on Wednesday, with a cargo of lumber for Goderich, where she is to load salt for Owen Sound. The City of Owen Sound has not yet passed through the canal on her down trip.

Source 

  H C WINGROVE 

Source: Green, Fred W., Green's Marine Directory of the Great Lakes , Cleveland, 1916, page 368. 

Captains of Steamers 
                                  H C Windgrove   of The  J A McKee 

McKEE, J.A. , (Prop.), 1908

BUILDING STEAMER IN ENGLAND
Collingwood, Ont., June 16. - The new steamer of the Western Steamship Line, under construction in England, will be named J. A. McKEE, in honor of the president of the company. The vessel is designed to carry 3150 tons dead weight on 18-1/2 foot mean draft in salt water. The chief dimensions are: Length between perpendiculars, 248 feet; breadth extreme, 43 feet; depth molded, 25 feet; forecastle, 42 feet. The boat is to have seven cargo hatchways, each 8 by 29 feet.
Buffalo Evening News Tuesday, June 16, 1908 
 Source 

....

THORDOC , (St. S.), 1933 , Official No. C125442 , ex J.A. McKEE

Steam Screw THORDOC.* Official Canadian No. 125442. Built at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, in 1908. Of 2,158 gross tons; 1,375 tons reg. Home port, Fort William. Ont. 248.0 x 43.1 x 22.5 and 204 horse power. Owned by the Paterson Steamship Co., Fort William, Ont.
* Formerly J.A. McKEE.
List of Vessels on Registry Books of the Dominion
of Canada on the 31st. Day of December, 1933 
Source 

  Take me there

 

-  MARITIME HISTORY OF THE GREAT LAKES 
                         -  Shipwreck Waubuno 
                     -   Wayne Cook's Historical Plaques of Ontario

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