Wolfe Island Historical Society welcomes Britton Smith, author, 'Legend of the Lake Ontario '
Posted Jun 3, 2010 By Margaret Knott
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Britt Smith, a Second World War vetern, lawyer, historian, author and builder of apartment buildings was a guest speaker in the WI Historical Society's 2010 speaker's series." I have never had a crowd such as this come out to hear me but then Wolfe Island is a special place," Smith said following his introduction by the society's past president Captain Brian Johnson. Smith regaled the crowd with stories of visiting the island for the first time as a 10 year old, (and many times thereafter), mentioning island names and places with fondness before moving on to the subject that brought him, The 'Legend of the Lake Ontario 1780.'
Mr. Smith came with many copies of his book, Legend of the Lake Ontario, to sign and give away, much to the surprise and delight of the audience. The book authored in 1997 was later revised with a new chapter when the Lake Ontario, a 22-gun brig-sloop was located by Don Scoville and Jim Kennard, engineers and shipwreck specialists from Rochester, NY.
Smith gave a brief history of the Ontario, built at the Carleton Island Shipyard in 1779 - 80, to defend British North America against the American revolutionary forces. "What you may not realize is that during the American Revolution Carleton Island had about 4500 people living on it including three different British regiments, and was a major point between upland posts and Montreal," he said. "The American army was giving the Brits a hard time so the British regiment would go down burn crops and stop supplies. A bigger boat was required and the Lake Ontario with its 22 guns staffed with sailors mostly Canadian and soldiers to man the guns, built in 1779 and launched in May, 1780 was at that time, the largest vessel on the Great Lakes at 226 tons and 80 feet long. I don't think they ever fired a shot but it kept the Americans away." Six months later the ship disappeared, wrecked, hit by a storm, by a hurricane? Ice? "In the early evening hours of October 31, 1780, the British sloop of war HMS Ontario sank with over 120 men, women, children and prisoners on board during a sudden and violent gale."
The next part of the evening was devoted to the search for the 'Ontario' and Britt Smith's research over 20 years with the assistance of archivists, letters, drawings, maps and writings. (His book provides insight into life at the time, historical events and people, the ship, the importance of wives and families to the settlement and to the military.)
Smith said the Ontario was discovered in May 2008 between Niagara and Rochester (but its location has not been released) and even with the best of research available it took some 3 years to find her in very deep water and confirm the find using very sophisticated underwater, equipment. "We think she is in good shape with lots of artefacts and I think she could be raised," Smith said adding that "she is a war grave site and I think she belongs to Canada. I hope she is not raised too quickly. What would I do with the rest of my life." A very informative question and answer period followed.
Development
charges Bylaw
finally passed for
Frontenac Islands
At a recent special meeting, Frontenac Islands Council passed a bylaw establishing Development Charges, but not without some discussion. Councillors were somewhat disconcerted that it had taken so long to receive the report required to develop the bylaw from Tunnock Consulting. "This is costing us money," Councillor Doyle said. "We have lost two years in Development charges." (While certain exceptions exist, development charges are normally due the date a building permit is issued..) With the passage of the by law, development charges can be charged right away, although there is an appeal period. Doyle also expressed frustration concerning the Official Plan Review which is not yet available.
In other business:
1. Doyle brought forward Wolfe Island Business & Tourism Association concerns regarding vehicular parking on the north end of Victoria Street at WI's public dock, blocking the Summer Boutique, Public toilet facilities and a residential property. He suggested closing that end of the road (a chain across and signage) May to October. Mayor Vanden Hoek suggested leaving things the way they are (now that the bus is gone) until the June meeting when a bylaw might be passed.
2. The road work on Wolfe Island has been causing residents much grief and council members are hearing about it. "Residents need some answers," Councillor Doyle said. Councillors questions to the mayor and staff ranged from "when is the Tembine coming? What about the dust? Why is the work not progressing? What do we do in the meantime? To... "what can we tell residents if we don't have all the answers?"
The township will distribute a flyer to residents asking for patience and explaining the extent and the timing of the ongoing road construction. Council has approved some work on a portion of 4th Line Road which will proceed in conjunction with the island's existing surface treatment contract.
3. As a result of information received in a letter about (transient) young people trespassing on private property and threatening residents when advised to leave, Council is advising residents to call the OPP " It is true, we need to know about these situations but it is even more important that the police are called," Mayor Vanden Hoek said. "And In the two most recent incidents the OPP was not called." The flyer going out to residents will advise, that in the event of problems of trespass (or other serious concerns) they should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police. The direct number will be included.
Around Town * Due to fine weather Big Sandy Bay is now open daily. * Congratulations to Dr. George Merry for whom Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently dedicated their Collins Creek wetland project. * "The Cat in the Hat" in the person of Mayor Jim Vandenhoek, sporting a tall hat, red tie, gloves, cat whiskers and carrying an umbrella, recently visited WI's Early years Centre where he read to the children and parents gathered round.
Coming Events:1.Taste of Wolfe Island, Market every Friday 2-5:30 pm 2. BSB Dune Restoration Work Days June 9th & 19th Contact Linda 613-385-1521 3."Transition to Harmonized Sales Tax - Information for those who need to know how the HST will affect them. Tuesday, June 15th, WI United Church Hall 5:45 pm presented by a representative from the Ont. Ministry of Revenue.
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