About
The Captain/Master
Paul Deacon
Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, and descending from a long line of Captains and master Mariners, Paul has developed a profound love and respect for the water. Upon completing the training required by Transport Canada, the call of the islands becomes irresistible. As a retired Home Hardware Dealer/owner and Associate Financial Adviser with the Co-operators, Paul is now ready to embrace a life spent on the water, eagerly desiring to share the region's beauty with others and explore the enchanting Islands, wrecks, and crystal-clear waters of the Fishing Islands.
The Vessel
“Chloe”
“Chloe” is a 25-foot Princecraft Tri Toon Pontoon boat with a capacity for 12 passengers.Comfortable seating with a dinette and a rear lounger to stretch out on. Those with less mobilitymight have difficulty disembarking the boat.An “emergency” head (toilet) is located under the lounger and consists of a curtain for privacybut is not your traditional household toilet.
Where are we?
Howdenvale (once known as Golden Valley)
44*49’23”N 81*18’26”W
The stretch of fishing islands from Oliphant to Howdenvale, located on the Western shores of the
Bruce Peninsula, consists of over 70 dolomite islands. Although no longer an abundance of fish,
the area offers a rich culture of wildlife, unique birds and nesting sites, and a unique wetland Fen
that is a hotspot of diversity for unique and rare plants, insects and small mammals. The Oliphant
Fen is an alkaline area rich in calcium and magnesium with notable plants such as the rare Ram’s
Head Orchid and the Red-spotted Newt.
Sites/Shipwrecks
Shipwrecks of the Saugeen by Patrick Folkes.
In the 1834 Crown Lands issued in council to the Huron Fishing Co, for the fishing islands. Captain Alexander MacGregor was the first to turn the fishing in the area into a commercial business. The shipping industry was born with shipping routes to Detroit to deliver the abundance of fish at that time.
The many shoals in the area along with unpredictable weather, made the waters disastrous for the faint at heart and many a ship fell to the lockers of Davy Jones. Thankfully the shallow waters and the many island saved many lives.
Most incidences were recorded but who knows how many wrecks are out there for you to discover?
Philo Scoville
Shipwrecked 1853
200 tons
Cargo: Wheat, Flour and fish
Location: Scotch Bonnet Island.
Rob Roy
Shipwrecked in 1864
Supply Vessel
Location: Off Chiefs Point
Not specifically on the islands but of interest is one of the few deaths from shipwrecks. Captain George McAuley, drowned at the wreck and was found near Lonely Island.
Gold Hunter
Shipwrecked 1890
213 Ton Schooner
Cargo: Cedar lodge (unfortunately no gold as the name suggests)
Location: West of Ghegheto Island
This is the one we visit most as it is easily seen from the boat.
Sarah
Shipwrecked 1906
64 Ton Schooner
Cargo: Nothing at the time.
Location: East of Burke Island.
Oxford
Shipwrecked approximately 1855
150 ton side wheel steamer
Cargo: Supplies for building lighthouses and men for labour.
Location: Unknown due to poor reporting.
Blanch Shelby
Shipwrecked 1885
Tug
Cargo: Fish
Location: Somewhere between Main Station and Burke Island. Awaiting your discovery.
Phoenix
Shipwrecked 1901
Tug 25 tons
Cargo: unknown
Location: East of Main Station Island. Awaiting your discovery.
How many more ships could have found their watery grave upon these shoals remains a mystery, as early reporting was not accurate and record keeping was not at its finest. The water levels caused so many changes in the land due to the lowering of the water levels, that a new survey was ordered in 1899 and could be the reason that more wrecks have not yet been found.
Interesting Facts
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The highest recorded water level was 1838 and recorded 584ft 8” above sea level.
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The lowest recorded water level was 1819 and recorded as 579 ft above sea level.
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The Chicago Drainage Canal built in 1900 was taking 7000 cu ft per second from the lake.
The Islands:
Early records show that the Islands that now form the Fishing Islands as we know it as today, were called the Ghegheto Islands. The word is from the Ojibway word, Gigoika “plenty of fish” as the waters were thick with fish. The islands were also recorded as the Saugeen Fishing Islands and now also known as the Oliphant Islands.
Fishing is what brought the early pioneers to this area and the stories of the islands and what happened on those Islands start here.
Rowan Island
Robert and John Rowan fished at the island and made it their headquarters.
Main Station Island.
Captain MacGregor used this island as his “Main Station” for his fishing operations. He built a large stone house, known as old fort, that had large walls and narrow windows. The men who worked the fisheries, also lived there.