The Mysterious Sinking of the Waubano

Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Great Lakes Museum, 55 Ontario Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y2
Category: Misc
Cost: $6 (includes Museum Admission)
Registration: Recommended; limited walk-in spots available

Uncover one of the most chilling unsolved maritime tragedies in Great Lakes history at The Mysterious Sinking of the Waubano, a special presentation hosted by the Great Lakes Museum as part of the Lifelong Learning Club series.

On November 22, 1880, the paddle steamer Waubano vanished during a violent storm on Georgian Bay while en route from Collingwood to Parry Sound. All hands were lost. No distress signal. No survivors. Only fragments of wreckage eventually washed ashore. More than 140 years later, the exact cause of the sinking remains a haunting mystery.

This compelling one-hour session will take you on a historical deep dive into the ship’s final voyage, featuring the vivid storytelling and visual interpretation of Ernest “Ernie” Taylor’s iconic mural, Wreck of the Waubano. Taylor, a celebrated Collingwood artist, captured the drama, tragedy, and lasting mystery of this ill-fated vessel — and his work provides a window into both the dangers of 19th-century shipping and the power of artistic remembrance.

Whether you’re a maritime history enthusiast, a local Kingston resident interested in Great Lakes lore, or someone who loves exploring Canada’s rich nautical past, this session is for you. Come engage with fellow lifelong learners over coffee, conversation, and curiosity.

The Lifelong Learning Club meets bi-weekly at the Great Lakes Museum and is designed to bring fascinating historical, cultural, and scientific topics to the community in an accessible and welcoming setting. Each session includes time for discussion and refreshments.

Don’t miss this chance to rediscover a long-lost story of storm, shipwreck, and enduring mystery beneath the waters of Georgian Bay.