The schooner Minnedosa, built in 1890, was born to superlatives, and became known as 'The Pride of Canada'. She was the last and the greatest of the thousand schooners built in Canada for the Great Lakes. Two hundred and fifty feet long with a 38' beam and four masts, she was fully rigged and capable of 15 knots... as fast or faster than steamers of the day. Originally she had a life size half-length figure of Ceres, the Greek Goddess of the harvest. She was, by all measures, a stout and well built vessel.
In October 1905 at Fort William, Ontario with full load of grain (75,000 bushels) in her holds, she entered Lake Huron behind the Steamer Westmount. Little did Captain Phillips, his wife and the crew of six realize that this would be their last and final run.
In a horrific gale the Minnedosa continued down bound behind the Steamer Westmount into Lake Huron's notorious Saginaw Bay. Without warning the giant Minnedosa plunged to the floor of Lake Huron to become one of the enduring mysteries of the Great Lakes for more than 75 years.
David Trotter began his search for the Minnedosa in 1978 and it became his obsession until he finally located her in 1993. The loss of the Minnedosa, the discovery and the exploration of this one of a kind vessel is a great story of adventure entails a most unusual set of events.
What happened to the Minnedosa in the 15 years following her discovery is an equally fascinating story... a story that could only be shared by exploring the Minnedosa today. This is a thirty year story that will surprise you!
This program will be presented by David Trotter.
We hope to see you there next year, The Ford Seahorses.