Identification & Site Information

•Other Names: Belle Adkins, Belle Atkins

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1856

•Builder: D. Hause, Wilson, New York

•Initial Enrollment: Oswego, New York

•Hull Dimensions:

•Length: 134 feet (40.84 metres)

•Beam: 26 feet (7.92 metres)

•Depth: 12 feet (3.66 metres)

•Tonnage: 394 tons

•Final Disposition: Destroyed during a storm on February 10, 1857, near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type Description

The Belle Adkins (also referred to as Belle Atkins) was a wooden Schooner built in 1856, typical of the robust and functional vessels used for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Designed to navigate the varied and often challenging conditions of the lakes, schooners like the Belle Adkins were integral to the economic activity of the region. Its large size and carrying capacity of 394 tons marked it as a significant player in Great Lakes shipping during its short operational life.

History

The Belle Adkins was built in 1856 by D. Hause in Wilson, New York, and enrolled at Oswego, NY. The vessel was owned by Collins & Abbey and commanded by Captain Daniels. Its brief operational life was marked by tragedy when, in early 1857, the Schooner fell victim to extreme weather and environmental conditions:

1.February 8, 1857: A freshet in the Oswego River caused significant flooding, breaking the Belle Adkins from its winter moorings. The vessel was swept into the lake along with several other ships, including the Belle Sheridan, Titan, Wide Awake, and Thomas Kingsford.

2.February 9, 1857: Efforts to recover the Schooner saw it towed back toward the harbor, where it grounded between the piers. However, worsening conditions soon drove the vessel back out to Lake Ontario, exposing it to severe weather.

3.February 10, 1857: The Belle Adkins was driven ashore below the east pier at Oswego during a gale and heavy seas. The Schooner broke apart, becoming a Total Loss except for some salvageable rigging.

Newspaper reports from the time, particularly from the Oswego Daily Palladium, provide vivid accounts of the event and its aftermath, highlighting the challenges faced by mariners during winter and early spring on Lake Ontario.

Final Disposition

The Belle Adkins was destroyed on February 10, 1857, during a storm in Lake Ontario. Despite recovery efforts, the vessel was ultimately declared a Total Loss after grounding and breaking apart near the east pier in Oswego, New York. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

Notices & Advisories

•NOTMARs: No active Notices to Mariners are associated with the wreck of the Belle Adkins, though the site near Oswego may still harbor remnants of the vessel.

Sources & Resources

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships Website

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Oswego Daily Palladium, February 9-19, 1857

•Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, January 28, 1858

Keywords

•Belle Adkins

•Belle Atkins

•Wooden Schooner

•Oswego, New York

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck

•1857 Freshet

•Collins & Abbey

•Maritime History

Analysis

The Belle Adkins‘s short history reflects the perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during the mid-19th century. The vessel’s destruction in a severe storm underscores the vulnerability of schooners to environmental extremes, especially during the transitional winter-to-spring period. Despite the loss, the incident is well-documented in contemporary newspapers, offering valuable insight into the challenges and resilience of maritime operations on Lake Ontario. The vessel’s story contributes to the broader understanding of Great Lakes maritime history, particularly the risks inherent in operating on the volatile waters of the region.