Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques
2004 - Now in our 11th Year - 2015
To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page
Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone
in Landscape mode (Horizontal)
The Sinking of the "Mary Ward"
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005
Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted October, 2011
Plaque Location
The County of Grey
The Town of The Blue Mountains
In Craigleith Provincial Park
near the shore near the parking area
Coordinates: N 44 32.219 W 80 20.889 |
 |
Plaque Text
On the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer "Mary Ward" ran aground on Milligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from Sarnia to her new home port of Collingwood with twenty-seven aboard, including a Canadian Pacific Railway survey party when the accident occurred. The first lifeboat safely reached shore, then a fierce gale sprang up, delaying rescue operations. After a perilous journey the second lifeboat succeeded in landing but the third capsized and all eight aboard drowned. A group of local fishermen, led by Frank Moberly and Captain George Collins, later rescued those remaining on the wreck, and they were subsequently recognized by the Canadian government for their heroic actions.
More
Information
More
Disasters
Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
(none yet)
Here's where you can sent me a comment for this page.
Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.
Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).
Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.
To send me your comment, click .
Thanks
Alan L Brown
Webmaster
Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click .