IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: HARTFORD
• Type: Three-masted wooden Schooner
• Builder: Linn & Co., Gibraltar, Michigan
• Year Built: 1873
• Dimensions: Length: 137 feet; Beam: 26 feet; Depth: 11 feet
• Location: Mexico Bay, near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
• Depth: Approximately 40 feet
• Condition: Wreckage submerged, with most of the vessel’s remains lost to the lake

• Builder: Linn & Co., Master Carpenter Morgan
  Dimensions:

  • Length: 137 feet (42 meters)
  • Beam: 26 feet (7.9 meters)
  • Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
    Tonnage:
  • Gross: 323 tons
  • Net: 307 tons
    Hull Material: Wood
    Number of Masts: 3
    Number of Decks: 1
    Official Number: 95229
    Original Owners: J.K. Post, O.H. Brown, J.H. & William McCarthy, Oswego, NY
    Subsequent Owners:
  • Final Owners: G.H. McKinley, W.H. Consaul, and Captain William O’Toole
    Cargo at Time of Loss: 22,000 bushels of wheat
    Final Voyage: Detroit, Michigan, to Cape Vincent, New York
    Date of Wreck: October 12, 1894
    Location: Mexico Bay, Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York, USA
    Depth of Wreck: 0-40 feet (0-12 meters)
    Cause of Wreck: Caught in a storm, ran aground, and broke apart
    Casualties:
    • Captain William O’Toole (45) of Clayton
    • Mrs. O’Toole (35) and their infant daughter
    • Richard Seymour, Mate
    • Michael Purcell, Crew Member from Clayton
    • Dennis McCarthy, Seaman from Oswego
    • Unknown Seaman from Grindstone Island
    • Unknown Seaman, identity remains uncertain
      Survivors: None
      Insurance: Cargo insured for $13,000; vessel not insured

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The HARTFORD was a robust and capable cargo Schooner designed for the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes. Built by Linn & Co. under the supervision of Master Carpenter Morgan, the vessel was crafted to carry substantial loads across the lakes. With a length of 137 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 11 feet, the Schooner was well-suited to the transportation of bulk goods like grain, which it frequently carried between ports.

HISTORY

Launched in 1873, the HARTFORD quickly became a reliable workhorse in the Great Lakes maritime trade. Over its operational life, the vessel encountered several incidents, including a grounding at Lime Kiln Crossing in the Detroit River in 1874 and a collision with another Schooner in Chicago in 1876. Despite these challenges, the HARTFORD continued to serve the bustling ports of the Great Lakes, contributing to the region’s economic vitality by transporting goods like wheat.

The HARTFORD’s final voyage began with a cargo of 22,000 bushels of wheat, departing from Detroit, Michigan, and bound for Cape Vincent, New York. Commanded by Captain William O’Toole, the Schooner also carried his wife, their infant daughter, and a crew of five. On October 12, 1894, the vessel encountered a fierce storm while navigating Mexico Bay near Oswego, New York. The storm’s intensity forced the crew to anchor the vessel in a desperate attempt to survive the tempest. However, the violent weather proved too much for the Schooner, causing it to break apart and sink.

The sinking of the HARTFORD resulted in the tragic loss of all lives aboard, including Captain O’Toole, his family, and the crew. Only the body of Captain O’Toole’s infant daughter was recovered, leaving the local community in mourning and the Great Lakes maritime history with a somber reminder of the dangers faced by sailors.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The HARTFORD was lost on October 12, 1894, after being overwhelmed by a storm in Mexico Bay, near Oswego, New York. The wreckage was later discovered submerged under approximately 40 feet of water. Most of the vessel’s remains have since been lost to the lake, and the wreck serves as a haunting reminder of the perilous conditions that sailors encountered on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

LOCATED BY & DATE

• Located By: Likely discovered by local divers or researchers; specific details of the discovery are not well-documented
• Date of Discovery: The exact date of the wreck’s discovery is not documented

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) issued for the HARTFORD wreck site. The wreck lies in relatively shallow waters and does not pose a significant navigational hazard. However, the site should be approached with caution due to potential hazards associated with exploring an old and partially deteriorated wreck.

PhotoGallery

RESOURCES & LINKS

Conclusion

The HARTFORD’s tragic end is a poignant chapter in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes. The Schooner, once a symbol of the hardworking vessels that fueled the region’s trade, now rests in the depths of Lake Ontario, a silent testament to the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of life on the Great Lakes. The loss of the HARTFORD and those aboard serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those who navigated these waters, especially during the treacherous autumn storms.