Musing on the name Montreal rock, and the fact that two nearby buoys, the Dakotian and Behar buoys were named after shipwrecks, I wondered whether the rock took its name from a ship that sank after hitting it. I found little information on the brief search I did, but I contacted a friend, the author Tom Bennett, who has written many books on Shipwrecks in Wales, and also the excellent
Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire
Tom pointed out that, during the early development of Milford Haven, it was proposed that the port may be used on the London-Montreal steamer service. Indeed, in the late 1920s and 1930s, a steamer called the Calgaric, of the White star line, was stationed at Milford in a sea ready state, and later used on the London to Montreal route. Tom postulates that maybe the liner anchored near the rock, which took its name when local people referred to the 'Montreal Steamer'.
It could be accurate, or there could be another reason entirely for the enigmatic Montreal Rock. Amazing what can come to light when one looks at a buoy and starts to ask questions though........
