The Auguste was a full-rigged sailing ship, and, in September 1761, she was made ready to transport French exiles and prisoners of war from Montreal to France. For this sailing, she was under the command of Joseph Knowles, an English sea captain. The ship was unarmed and had 121 passengers and crew on board. More importantly, she carried only charts of the French coast. Almost immediately upon clearing the mouth of the St. Lawrence on October 28, it encountered a nor'west gale and heavy seas. It struck land on the northeastern side of Cape Breton Island near an inlet known as Aspy Bay. Only seven of the 121 made it to shore. This included the captain, Luc de la Corne, two soldiers, two servants, and one discharged soldier. Many notable Canadians died during the sinking including Charles-René Dejordy de Villebon, Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vérendrye, François-Josué de la Corne Dubreuil and Louis de la Corne, Chevalier de la Corne. The ship carried a valuable cargo of gold and silver which has been located by underwater explorer Joe Amaral.
References
- Documentary "A TREASURE SHIP'S TRAGEDY" on the National Geographic Channel
