As the December storms blow across Lake Huron, those who know the lake understand why no one should be on it at this time of year.
Captain Alex MacDonald knew he lake well but, on December 14, 1851, he and his crew the Martinale brothers, Jonathan and James, set out from Goderich to bring supplies back to the village of Saugeen. Unfortunately, they never made the return trip. The ship, the Saucy Jack, capsized and all were drowned.
Local Southampton historian, William (Bill) Streeter’s great grandfather David, was the third Martindale brother who never made the voyage.
Today, there is a grave stone at Sanctuary Park in Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores) that marks the grave of the Martindale boys’ mother Ann, Streeter’s great great grandmother.
“When December 14th rolls around and it’s a stormy time such as the one we are now experiencing, I can’t help but think of the Saucy Jack and the Martindale boys,” says Streeter, “and the mystery that surrounds them and where they were buried.”
