Port Abino in Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Anchor from the wreck of the Briton

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 14, 2025

1. Anchor from the wreck of the Briton - Marker

Inscription. Anchor and 300 feet of chain salvaged from the wreck of the Briton by Harvey Holzworth. The Briton went aground off the Point Abino lighthouse on November 13, 1929. Harvey Holzworth donated this chain and anchor to the Buffalo Yacht Club to be placed at the basin driveway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 13, 1929.

Location. 42° 50.827′ N, 79° 5.616′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Port Abino. It is on Point Abino Road South, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Point Abino Road S, Fort Erie ON L0S 1N0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Holloway Memorial Chapel Centennial, 1894 - 1994 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Point Abino Lighthouse (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); In Memory of Light Vessel 82 and its Crew (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); SS Canadiana (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); Capture of the "Somers" and "Ohio" (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); Crystal Beach Waterfront Park Development Association (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); 1800’s Ships Anchor (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); Waves of Change (approx. 3.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Erie.

Regarding Anchor from the wreck of the Briton. The bulk carrier Briton was built in 1890 for service on the upper Great Lakes. On November 13, 1929, with a full load of grain, it ran aground in fog, 400 metres (1/4 mile) south-west of Point Abino. The lighthouse and its foghorn were not functioning at the time. All crew were saved, but the ship was a total loss, as storms wrecked it before salvage could be attempted.

Anchor from the wreck of the Briton - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 14, 2025

2. Anchor from the wreck of the Briton - Marker in context

Photo faces east from the road. The marker and anchor are right of the entrance to the Buffalo Yacht Club's facility called Port Abino Station. The anchor chain extends all along the road, making a "chain link" fence.

Briton lies in 21 feet of water. It is one of many easy dive sites in the east end of Lake Erie.

Anchor from the SS Briton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 14, 2025

3. Anchor from the SS Briton

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.