The captain’s diary
Edward McConkey was captain of the Regina. It is speculated that on the night the Regina sank, Captain McConkey gave the order to abandon ship but chose to stay on board. The entire crew, including Captain McConkey, was lost that night. It was not until the following spring that Captain McConkey’s body washed up on the shores of Lake Huron.
His diary and watch were found in his jacket pocket. The diary was given back to his wife, Amanda, who lived in Goderich, and who carefully dried out its pages. His last entry is on November 7, 1913, and reads:
“Sombra 2:10 a. Hazey, loading hay, cloudy & wind.” This diary is now part of the Great Storm of 1913 exhibit.