The legacy of the Great Storm of 1913

Memories of the storm live on in Goderich. You can still see the tomb of five unknown sailors at the Maitland cemetery, which also has a commemorative plaque erected in memory of the tragedy. A commemorative service is held each year in honour of the sailors.

On Sunday, August 3, 1969, the city of Goderich inaugurated a plaque in honour of those who lost their lives in the Great Storm of 1913, which was erected facing Lake Huron. The plaque was founded by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario of the Archives of Ontario.

In 1981, the Annual Mariners’ Service was held on November 6. The event included a presentation of wreaths that were laid at the foot of the grave of the unknown sailors lost in the Great Storm of 1913.

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1913, a memorial service was held on Saturday, November 8, 2003. This memorial service was organized by Marine Heritage Committee co-chairs Paul Carroll and Jan Hawley. Not only did the ceremony commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Great Storm, it also honoured former sailors John Doherty and Ron Pennington.

Watch the video of this story in the History Matters section called “The Great Storm of 1913.” You can find it on the Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) website:

http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/nouvelles-news/anglais-english/?p=6691