The anchor from a locally historic ship will be part of the new roundabout in Southampton.
The new roundabout, at the intersection of Highway 21 and Bruce Road 13 Turner Street, will be the new home for the anchor from the Erie Stewart.
Divers recovered the anchor from the shipwreck of the Erie Stewart in 1957, and it will now serve as "a gateway feature welcoming residents and visitors to Southampton while celebrating the community’s rich marine heritage," according to a message posted on the Saugeen Shores website.
The Erie Stewart was a two-masted schooner that wrecked during a storm off Southampton in 1907 after it was unable to navigate into Southampton’s historic Harbour of Refuge. The vessel struck the Island Dock while trying to enter the harbour, damaging both the dock and range light. While the crew made it to safety, the remnants of the vessel lay near the harbour’s entrance, becoming part of the area’s maritime history.
The anchor is being refurbished and relocated from downtown Southampton to the roundabout with support from the Marine Heritage Society very soon.
"Southampton’s history is closely tied to Lake Huron, and this anchor is a meaningful way to honour that connection," said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. "It’s fitting that, as people enter the community, they will be welcomed by a symbol of the marine heritage that is such an important part of Southampton’s identity."
