Unidentified centerboard sailing ship
located near Blue Heron Island. Here is an excerpt from Shipwrecks of the Saugeen
1828 - 1938 by Patrick Folks - "Cove Island is the largest island lying in
the southern part of the entrance into Georgian Bay. It is three miles long,
over a mile wide at Eagle Point, and contains two large lakes. The east coast
is steep-to with deep water and is indented by Eagle and Tecumseh Coves; the
latter is noted for its excellent underwater visibility. The Lake Huron shore
is broken and shoal water is found along its entire length, making it one of the
most dangerous localities of the islands.
Cove Island has probably claimed many more vessels than are now known. The
danger which the island presented to vessels entering or leaving Georgian Bay
was recognized early by the establishment of the light station on Gig Point in
1856. However, the story of these disasters must remain untold for the records
are silent. In the chronicles of the Lake Huron marine there remains but a hint
of the exciting events which once occurred here. On Oct. 8 1871 the schooner
PHOEBE CATHERINE, Richard Hill master, departed Sarnia for the Bay. A stiff
breeze from the south brought her to Cape Hurd in less than seventeen hours. By
midnight a full gale was blowing and when the CATHERINE found herself
drifting into the breakers of Gat Point, Cove Island, two anchors were put down
to hold her off. At daybreak Captain Hill saw the ominous sight of five vessels
driven ashore on the beach of the island. Before he had time to reflect on
their plight his own vessel broke loose and was swept away before the storm.
The boats reported by Hill remain unidentified and it is not known if they were
salvaged. That so many were stranded in a single blow points up how treacherous
was the west shore of Cove Island when the wind-ship era was at its peak."