"Uncovering History: The Discovery of a 19th Century Shipwreck in Point Farms Provincial Park"
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"Uncovering History: The Discovery of a 19th Century Shipwreck in Point Farms Provincial Park"
[!CDATA[A young boy in Canada discovered a shipwreck dating back nearly two centuries while on a family trip to Point Farms Provincial Park in Ontario. Lucas Atchison, then 8 years old, found a small steel spike with his metal detector, which led to the discovery of more spikes and wood pieces from the wrecked ship. The find was reported to park staff and the Ontario Marine Heritage Committee, leading to an excavation of the site to uncover more details about the ship. Archaeologists working on the excavation determined that the ship was likely an old schooner, a type of two-masted wooden sailing vessel with double frames. They are currently creating drawings of the shipwreck from various angles to help identify the vessel. Additionally, researchers are examining historical catalogues that outline insurance requirements for ships from the 19th century to gather more information about the ship's origins. While the exact identity of the ship remains unknown, marine historian Patrick Folkes suggested that the wreck could be that of the St. Anthony, which sank in October 1856 while carrying a load of grain from Chicago to Buffalo, New York. The location of the wreckage aligns with the description of where the St. Anthony went ashore, making it a strong candidate for the ship that Lucas discovered. The ongoing research and excavation efforts aim to shed more light on the history and significance of this remarkable find.]]