The Sinking of the "Waubuno" 1879

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted May, 2005

Plaque Location

The District of Parry Sound
The Town of Parry Sound
In Waubuno Park beside the parking lot
at the foot of Prospect Street

Coordinates: N 45 20.738 W 80 02.652

Plaque Text

This anchor, recovered in 1959, belonged to the steamer "Waubuno", a wooden sidewheeler of some 180 tonnes 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 32 km 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.

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Posted February 26, 2009
Hello. My name is Louise Blanchette and I am the daughter of George Little. He was one of the divers who went down and found items from the ship. They include pistol and several coins, There was also a new release in the Toronto Star about their findings. If you would like a copy of the article. Please contact me through email at

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